title: The relationship between modifiable health risk factors and medical expenditures, absenteeism, short-term disability, and presenteeism among employees at novartis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To quantify the impact of health risks on medical care and productivity costs in an employed population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Health risk, medical care, and productivity data were obtained for 5875 Novartis employees in 2005-2006. Factor analysis was performed to identify relationships among health risks. Multiple regression analyses were applied to estimate relationships between combined risk factors and costs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found a significant and consistent association among three factors (high biometric laboratory values, cigarette and alcohol use, and poor emotional health) and increased presenteeism for both men and women and increased absenteeism for women. Medical care expenditures were 13-22% higher for men and women at risk for the high biometric laboratory values and the emotional health factor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a potential for medical and productivity savings for employers able to reduce health risks among their workers.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Health and Productivity Studies, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Washington, DC, USA. ron.goetzel@thomsonreuters.com
authors.forename: Ron Z
authors.initials: RZ
authors.lastname: Goetzel
authors.forename: Ginger Smith
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Carls
authors.forename: Shaohung
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mauceri
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Columbus
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cavuoti