Health risk change as a predictor of productivity change.

Abstract

To assess how health risk change influences concurrent and subsequent change in absenteeism and presenteeism. A retrospective, longitudinal study design analyzed repeated health assessment survey data using maximum likelihood structural equation modeling. A statistically significant relationship was detected between self-reported health risks at one point in time and lower productivity (absenteeism and presenteeism) at the same point in time as well as a longitudinal effect of increasing risks at one point in time associated with decreased productivity at subsequent measurement periods. Health is a predictor of productivity, and the benefits of improved health on improved productivity are cumulative over time.