ESTIMATING PRODUCTIVITY LOSS FROM A SOCIETAL PERSPECTIVE: A PRACTICAL FRAMEWORK USING U.S. PUBLIC-USE DATA
Author(s)
Lu Shi, BA, MPH, PhD1, Hanxuan Yu, MS2, Meng Li, PhD1;
1Tufts Medical Center, The Center for the Evaluation of Value and Risk in Health, Boston, MA, USA, 2Harvard University, T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
1Tufts Medical Center, The Center for the Evaluation of Value and Risk in Health, Boston, MA, USA, 2Harvard University, T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
OBJECTIVES: Productivity estimates are a key component in cost-effectiveness analyses from a societal perspective. However, existing approaches to estimating productivity losses vary in assumptions, data sources, measurement methods, and lead to inconsistent results. We propose a coherent conceptual framework and practical approach using public data to estimate productivity impact of various disease areas in the US.
METHODS: For patients and caregivers, productivity included both market and non-market aspects. Market productivity included short-term absenteeism and reduced productivity while present at work (presenteeism). Non-market productivity was primarily estimated by calculating the total time spent on household productivity. We used the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data (2016-2022) to estimate the mean days of disease-related absenteeism for patients and caregivers aged 18 and above. We grouped diseases using the first three characters of the ICD-10 diagnosis codes. We used the American Time Use Survey (2016-2022) to estimate paid work hours, household services, and hourly and annual earnings among the US population aged 15 and above. Presenteeism was estimated based on a review of US-based literature.
RESULTS: Mean annual productivity was $63,167 for US adults, including $44,807 in market and $18,306 in non-market productivity. We identified 613,603 patients grouped into 481 disease categories. Mean annual market productivity loss among patients across all diseases was $2,550 (mean range across disease groups: $780-$7,941), including $1,016 ($104-$6,383) in absenteeism and $1,534 ($185-$3,407) in presenteeism. Mean annual non-market productivity loss among patients across all diseases was $1,045 ($320-$3,254). Mean annual market productivity loss among caregivers was $545 ($123 - $2,210), and non-market productivity loss was $905 ($50 - $223).
CONCLUSIONS: This study established a framework for estimating both market and non-market productivity losses applicable across diverse disease contexts, providing a valuable template for future productivity estimation in a wide range of disease areas and study populations.
METHODS: For patients and caregivers, productivity included both market and non-market aspects. Market productivity included short-term absenteeism and reduced productivity while present at work (presenteeism). Non-market productivity was primarily estimated by calculating the total time spent on household productivity. We used the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data (2016-2022) to estimate the mean days of disease-related absenteeism for patients and caregivers aged 18 and above. We grouped diseases using the first three characters of the ICD-10 diagnosis codes. We used the American Time Use Survey (2016-2022) to estimate paid work hours, household services, and hourly and annual earnings among the US population aged 15 and above. Presenteeism was estimated based on a review of US-based literature.
RESULTS: Mean annual productivity was $63,167 for US adults, including $44,807 in market and $18,306 in non-market productivity. We identified 613,603 patients grouped into 481 disease categories. Mean annual market productivity loss among patients across all diseases was $2,550 (mean range across disease groups: $780-$7,941), including $1,016 ($104-$6,383) in absenteeism and $1,534 ($185-$3,407) in presenteeism. Mean annual non-market productivity loss among patients across all diseases was $1,045 ($320-$3,254). Mean annual market productivity loss among caregivers was $545 ($123 - $2,210), and non-market productivity loss was $905 ($50 - $223).
CONCLUSIONS: This study established a framework for estimating both market and non-market productivity losses applicable across diverse disease contexts, providing a valuable template for future productivity estimation in a wide range of disease areas and study populations.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-05, ISPOR 2026, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue S6
Code
EE310
Topic
Economic Evaluation
Topic Subcategory
Work & Home Productivity - Indirect Costs
Disease
No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas