Health Risk Change as a Predictor of Productivity Change

OBJECTIVE: To assess how health risk change influences concurrent and subsequent change in absenteeism and presenteeism. METHODS: A retrospective, longitudinal study design analyzed repeated health assessment survey data using maximum likelihood structural equation modeling. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSIONS: Health is a predictor of productivity, and the benefits of improved health on improved productivity are cumulative over time.