Some international trends in sickness absence 1950-68

Abstract

Annual sickness absence rates in Great Britain since 1950 have been compared with similar measurements obtained from eight other countries. Frequency has tended to rise more than severity, indicating a shortening of the average length of a spell. The rise in British rates is not unique, and has been exceeded in Sweden, Holland, Italy, and West Germany. From the Swedish experience with self-certification some caution is necessary before recommending its adoption in Britain.