Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the degree of health-related productivity loss (HRPL) for common health conditions. A total of 4197 workers participated in a web-based questionnaire survey from January to February 2020. HRPL was measured using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire, and a difference in HRPL was calculated for each common health condition. The burden of productivity loss due to each health condition was calculated by the product of the difference in HRPL scores and the percentage of participants who complained. The health conditions most strongly associated with increased HRPL were infertility treatment (30.6%), osteoporosis (25.9%), cancer (25.3%), gastric ulcer or duodenal ulcer (25.0%) and anaemia (23.9%). The most important health conditions in order of their magnitude of induced burden of productivity loss were fatigue, neck or shoulder pain, insufficient sleep, back pain, headache, common cold and flu, insomnia, anxiety and diarrhoea or constipation. HRPL is more strongly and importantly associated with the aforementioned health conditions. Occupational health managers should prioritise addressing health conditions strongly and importantly associated with HRPL when implementing health promotion programmes.
Highlights
Workers’ health status is a fundamental factor influencing the improvement and maintenance of productivity by the labour force [1,2]
The demographic characteristics of the study participants by health conditions are presented in Supplementary Table S1
Korean working popufound every health condition we investigated to be significantly associated with health-related productivity loss (HRPL)
Summary
Workers’ health status is a fundamental factor influencing the improvement and maintenance of productivity by the labour force [1,2]. There is consensus that the creativity and productivity of the workforce is the driving force for corporate success. In this regard, health can be assumed as an element of human capital within a society where investments to improve worker’s health are reflected in the economic growth [4]. Many studies have revealed a positive relationship between workers’ health status and health-related costs. The economic burden of poor health includes medical and pharmaceutical expenses and health-related productivity loss (HRPL) due to sick leave (absenteeism) and reduced performance while at work as a result of uncontrolled diseases or health risks (presenteeism). Several research studies have shown that the financial cost of absenteeism and presenteeism outweighs medical and pharmaceutical expenses [5,6,7]
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