Socio-economic disparities and returning to work following an injury

Abstract

Background: Traumatic injury is one of the main reasons for temporary and permanent occupational disability. The objective of this study was to define the role of socioeconomic position on post-injury occupational absenteeism. Methods: This was a nationwide retrospective cohort study, based on linking The Israeli National Trauma Registry (INTR) and the National Insurance Institute (NII) databases. The study population included 44,740 injured workers (residents of Israel, aged 21-67, hospitalized between 2008 and 2013 and employed prior to injury as salaried workers). Logistic-regression models tested the probability of not returning to work (RTW). Results: The majority of the study population (61%) RTW within 1 month following the injury event. Income prior to injury was significantly associated with longer out of work stay, explaining 9% variance. A significant interaction (p value < 0.0001) was found between age and income on out of work stay more than 1 month, 1 year and 2 years. Logistic regression models of out of work stay were conducted separately for all age groups. Lower income was associated with greater chance for out of work stay for more than 1 month; and the gap between the lowest and highest income quartiles was greater among older workers (age 55+), where there was an elevenfold increase in probability of not RTW among casualties from the lowest vs. highest income quartile. In comparison to other population groups, Arabs were at greater odds of longer out of work stay following an injury. Among injured persons recognized by the NII as having occupational injuries, the odds for not RTW within a month, a year and 2 years were respectively 3.9, 2.5 and 2.2 times significantly greater in comparison to employees injured outside the workplace. Conclusions: This study identified population groups with a high probability of not RTW following an injury requiring hospitalization. Intervention programs for injured employees should promote early rehabilitation and aim to shorten out of work stay. These programs should be ethnically adapted and focus on underprivileged and disadvantaged populations.

Factors Influencing Return-to-Work in Myocardial Infarction Patients: A Review

“…2020) respectively discovered that older patients are more likely to RTW within 3 months but less likely to do so within 1 to 2 years compared to younger patients [14][15]. This trend may be due to a higher motivation to maintain employment in older individuals as they may face difficulties in finding new job opportunities due to their age [15]. In contrast, in a study conducted at 53 hospitals across China, it is revealed that older patients are more likely to not return to work within 3 months [6].…”

“…Single patients were found to exhibit a higher percentage of not returning to work, which may be due to the absence of responsibility to a significant other. Other studies also demonstrated that the presence of a spouse was associated with better likelihood of RTW [9] [15]. Tulloch et al (2014) mentioned that there is a bidirectional relationship between PTSD and cardiac events, meaning that PTSD contributes to cardiovascular events while cardiovascular events may lead to PTSD and trauma [18].…”

Hand injuries in Kenya: a chaff cutter menace

“…The period taken to return to work might be an indicator of temporary or permanent disablement, suggesting inability of the affected individual to earn a livelihood during this period and to lose their social standing. This consequently makes them depend on other persons for sustenance (Naseer et al, 2016;Savitsky et al, 2020). Prevention of farmhand injuries is an key priority to avoid the economic loss, reduction of quality of life and emotional and social alterations resulting from such injuries (Angoules et al, 2007).…”

Impact of the macro-environment on the reporting of occupational injuries and illnesses by low-income workers compared to middle-income workers in South Africa: a mixed-methods study protocol

“…6 The socioeconomic status of workers is associated with occupational injuries. 11 Studies found that workplace injuries and under-reporting are higher among lowincome workers who are young or temporary employees who take up low-wage contingent positions. [12][13][14] Previous research conducted on factors influencing under-reporting of workplace injuries and illnesses has been focused on an organisational micro-level.…”

“…The socioeconomic status of workers is associated with occupational injuries 11. Studies found that workplace injuries and under-reporting are higher among low-income workers who are young or temporary employees who take up low-wage contingent positions 12–14…”