Exploring ALSO Mexico – The Leading Organization for Occupational Health in Latin America

ALSO or the Asociación Latinoamericana de Salud Ocupacional (Latin American Occupational Health Association), is a major organization dedicated to occupational health and safety across Latin America with a strong presence and impact in Mexico.

Overview of ALSO

Founded in 1963, ALSO is a non-profit organization that aims to bring together professionals, institutions, companies, and others interested in promoting occupational health and safety in Latin America. It has members across 18 countries in the region.

Some key facts about ALSO:

• Headquarters are located in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

• Currently has over 5000 members across Latin America.

• Holds a major Congress every 2 years, rotating host countries.

• Publishes the Pan American Journal of Public Health a scientific journal on occupational and environmental health.

• Works closely with the ILO, WHO/PAHO, and local governments on occupational health initiatives.

ALSO’s Presence and Activities in Mexico

While ALSO has a broad Latin American scope, Mexico is one of its most active chapters and hosts some of its largest events.

Some highlights of ALSO Mexico:

• There are over 800 ALSO members in Mexico, making it one of the largest national delegations.

• Mexico has hosted the ALSO Congress 7 times, most recently in 2013 in Cancun.

• ALSO partners closely with the Mexican Federation of Occupational Health (Fenastac) on events and advocacy.

• In 2025, Mexico will host the 19th ALSO Congress and 29th Fenastac National Congress in Guadalajara. This joint event is expected to attract over 400 occupational health professionals.

• ALSO Mexico organizes workshops, talks, courses, and other activities throughout the year across Mexico’s major cities.

• It collaborates closely with the Ministry of Labor, Ministry of Health, and major universities in Mexico on research and policy projects related to occupational safety.

ALSO Congresses and Conferences

The ALSO International Congress is a major highlight. Held every 2 years and hosted by a different Latin American country each time, it attracts thousands of attendees.

Some key details on ALSO Congresses:

• The first ALSO Congress was held in Sao Paulo, Brazil in 1965. Since then it has been hosted in 15 different Latin American cities.

• Average attendance is 2000-3000 occupational health professionals, company reps, researchers, government agencies, students and more.

• The Congress spans 3-5 days with symposiums, workshops, presentations, and exhibitions related to occupational health and safety.

• Major topics covered include emerging risks, new technologies, best practices, policy reform, health promotion, sustainability, and more.

• The next ALSO Congress will be the 19th edition, hosted in Guadalajara, Mexico in 2025 along with the Mexican Federation’s National Congress. This is expected to draw over 400 attendees.

• Mexico has hosted the ALSO Congress 7 times over the years, significantly more than any other country. Locations included Mexico City, Guadalajara, Puebla, Acapulco, and Cancun.

ALSO Mexico – Supporting Occupational Health Nationwide

In addition to the major ALSO Congress, the Mexican chapter of ALSO organizes many local conferences, talks, training sessions, and other events across the country year-round.

Some initiatives of ALSO Mexico nationwide:

• “Healthy Companies” program which provides workshops and resources for enterprises to improve worker health and safety.

• Accreditation courses for occupational nurses and technicians to improve capabilities.

• Partnerships with Mexican universities to support new research and education in occupational health.

• Policy advocacy and drafting support for reforms to Mexico’s laws and regulations related to occupational risk prevention.

• Public awareness campaigns about occupational hazards and employee rights, often focused on higher risk sectors like manufacturing, construction and agriculture.

• Databases and information centers with resources, case studies, and data on occupational health and safety in Mexico.

Key Focus Areas for ALSO Mexico

ALSO Mexico concentrates efforts on several high priority issues facing the country:

Informal Work: Over 50% of Mexican workers are employed informally, missing out on safety protection and training. ALSO Mexico tries to extend occupational health initiatives to informal sectors.

Small Enterprises: Providing affordable occupational safety services for Mexico’s many small businesses is a challenge. ALSO Mexico has programs focused on practical solutions for SMEs.

Agriculture and Construction: These sectors have high rates of injuries and illnesses. ALSO Mexico runs tailored outreach programs to provide safety resources for agricultural and construction workers.

Regulation and Policy: ALSO Mexico works closely with government agencies to advocate for improved laws and enforcement around occupational health and safety.

Hazard Prevention: With risks like chemical exposures common, ALSO Mexico prioritizes educational programs to prevent accidents and long term illnesses among workers exposed to hazards.

Health Promotion: ALSO Mexico emphasizes holistic worker wellness, going beyond safety to also promote smoking cessation, exercise, ergonomics, mental health, nutrition and more at workplaces.

ALSO Mexico’s Partnerships

To extend its impact, ALSO Mexico collaborates with diverse public and private partners:

• Mexican Government: Works closely with the Ministries of Labor, Health, Economy and Environment on policy and programs.

• Fenastac: Partners with Mexico’s National Federation for Occupational Health on events and advocacy.

• Universities: Ties with leading Mexican universities like National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) to develop new research, education, and data resources.

• International groups: Collaborates with WHO/PAHO, ILO, OECD, and more on regional occupational health initiatives.

• Companies: Engages major Mexican corporations to improve worker safety; Many have executives on ALSO Mexico’s board.

• Unions: Works with Mexican labor unions to provide safety programs and advocate for worker protections.

• Global ALSO: As part of the broader ALSO network, shares best practices with 18 other Latin American countries.

The Road Ahead for ALSO Mexico

As a leading voice for occupational safety, health, and wellbeing, ALSO Mexico continues to take on new challenges:

• Reaching informal sectors and SMEs with limited safety resources.

• Utilizing new technologies like telemedicine, mHealth apps, and wearables for improved risk monitoring and health promotion.

• Advocating for stronger laws and enforcement around occupational hazards.

• Promoting Mexico’s adoption of international standards like ISO 45001 for occupational health management.

• Responding to new issues like mental health, ergonomics, and risks of remote work.

• Preparing Mexican workers and employers for the changing nature of work and risks associated with automation, AI, robotics.

• Continuing to collaborate across borders to benchmark Mexico against international best practices.

After over 50 years of leadership, ALSO Mexico remains dedicated to its mission of supporting worker health and safety across every workplace in this key Latin American nation. The organization has made major strides but also recognizes the need to continuously evolve to address Mexico’s emerging challenges and priorities when it comes to occupational health and safety.

While Mexico is a close partner and ally on many fronts, including trade and security, public opinion in the U.S. is divided on whether Mexico is a close ally.

The official name of Mexico in Spanish is Estados Unidos Mexicanos, which translates to United Mexican States in English.