The impact of diabetes on employment and work productivity.

TitleThe impact of diabetes on employment and work productivity.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2005
AuthorsTunceli, K, Bradley, CJ, Nerenz, D, L Williams, K, Pladevall, M, Elston, LJ
JournalDiabetes Care
Volume28
Issue11
Pagination2662-7
Date Published2005 Nov
ISSN Number0149-5992
Call Numberpubs_2005_Tunceli_etal.pdf
KeywordsDiabetes Mellitus, Efficiency, Employment, Female, Health Status, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Middle Aged, Multivariate Analysis, Odds Ratio, United States, Work
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to longitudinally examine the effect of diabetes on labor market outcomes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Using secondary data from the first two waves (1992 and 1994) of the Health and Retirement Study, we identified 7,055 employed respondents (51-61 years of age), 490 of whom reported having diabetes in wave 1. We estimated the effect of diabetes in wave 1 on the probability of working in wave 2 using probit regression. For those working in wave 2, we modeled the relationships between diabetic status in wave 1 and the change in hours worked and work-loss days using ordinary least-squares regressions and modeled the presence of health-related work limitations using probit regression. All models control for health status and job characteristics and are estimated separately by sex.

RESULTS: Among individuals with diabetes, the absolute probability of working was 4.4 percentage points less for women and 7.1 percentage points less for men relative to that of their counterparts without diabetes. Change in weekly hours worked was not statistically significantly associated with diabetes. Women with diabetes had 2 more work-loss days per year compared with women without diabetes. Compared with individuals without diabetes, men and women with diabetes were 5.4 and 6 percentage points (absolute increase), respectively, more likely to have work limitations.

CONCLUSIONS: This article provides evidence that diabetes affects patients, employers, and society not only by reducing employment but also by contributing to work loss and health-related work limitations for those who remain employed.

DOI10.2337/diacare.28.11.2662
User Guide Notes

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16249536?dopt=Abstract

Endnote Keywords

Diabetes/Labor Force Participation

Endnote ID

15400

Alternate JournalDiabetes Care
Citation Key7040
PubMed ID16249536