title: The impact of behavioral health risks on worker absenteeism.
abstract: The relationship between behavioral health risks and worker absenteeism was investigated. Data on absenteeism and on 10 behavioral health risk areas were collected from 35,451 employees. Analyses examined whether higher health risks are associated with higher absenteeism, and whether a reduction in health risks translates into a reduction in absenteeism. Results revealed that a significant relationship existed between health risks and absenteeism in 8 of the 10 risk areas examined. Individuals who are at risk are more likely to be absent than individuals at low risk. Additional analyses revealed that individuals who reduce their risks in the areas of mental health, stress, and back are absent less often than individuals who remain at risk. These findings suggest that absenteeism, and the costs associated with it, may be controlled by health promotion programs and the reduction of health risks.
authors.affiliation: StayWell Company, 2700 Blue Water Road, Suite 850, St. Paul, MN 55121, USA. Dan.Gold@StayWell.com
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Serxner
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Gold
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Bultman
mesh_terms: D000041:Absenteeism; D000328:Adult; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000191:economics; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States