title: Labour force participation among individuals with hepatitis C in the US.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In 1996, the number of persons newly infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the US was estimated to be 36 000. As a chronic disease that primarily affects younger persons, hepatitis C has the potential to influence employment considerably.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To estimate employment effects associated with hepatitis C morbidity.
  
  
  METHODS
  An economic model of labour supply, which used the outcome measure workforce participation (yes/no), was applied.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study samples (by gender) were comprised of persons 18-65 years of age, with and without serological evidence of HCV infection, and with normal or elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III from 1988-1994.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After controlling for the potential confounding effects of demographic, social, and economic factors, positive HCV status/normal ALT level in males was associated with a 10.7% reduction in labour force participation (when compared with negative HCV status). Positive HCV status and elevated ALT levels was associated with a 17.5% reduction in employment. The results for females were not statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nationally, the employment response for HCV-positive status and elevated ALT levels translates into an excess non-employment of 48 000 males annually.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Alberta and Institute of Health Economics, #1200-10405 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 3N4, Canada. philip.jacobs@ualberta.ca
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: Ying Chu
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Tania
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stafinski
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dodd
authors.forename: Bryce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Larke
authors.forename: Winnie
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wong
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018803:Models, Economic; D014478:Unemployment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D000410:Alanine Transaminase