Health, Absence, Disability, and Presenteeism Cost Estimates of Certain Physical and Mental Health Conditions Affecting U.S. Employers

TLDR

Caution is advised when interpreting data sources, and standardization is needed in future research. The study synthesized cost data from a large medical/absence database and productivity surveys for 10 health conditions, using prevalence and absenteeism/presenteeism ranges to estimate condition‑related costs. The highest economic burden per employee was hypertension ($392), followed by heart disease ($368), depression/mental illnesses ($348), and arthritis ($327), with presenteeism costs exceeding medical costs in most cases and accounting for 18–60% of total costs.

Abstract

Evidence about the total cost of health, absence, short-term disability, and productivity losses was synthesized for 10 health conditions. Cost estimates from a large medical/absence database were combined with findings from several published productivity surveys. Ranges of condition prevalence and associated absenteeism and presenteeism (on-the-job-productivity) losses were used to estimate condition-related costs. Based on average impairment and prevalence estimates, the overall economic burden of illness was highest for hypertension ($392 per eligible employee per year), heart disease ($368), depression and other mental illnesses ($348), and arthritis ($327). Presenteeism costs were higher than medical costs in most cases, and represented 18% to 60% of all costs for the 10 conditions. Caution is advised when interpreting any particular source of data, and the need for standardization in future research is noted.