Affiliations: National Institute of Occupational Health, Copenhagen,
Denmark
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Merete Labriola, National Institute
of Occupational Health, Lerso Parkalle 105, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark. Tel.:
+45 3916 5200; Fax: +45 3916 5201; E-mail: mla@ami.dk
Abstract: Aim: The aim of this study was to identify who is at risk for
long-term sickness absence according to occupation, gender, education, age,
business sector, agency size and ownership. Methods: The study is based on a sample of 5357 employees aged
18–69, interviewed in 2000. The cohort was followed up in a national
register from January 1{st} 2001 to June 30{th} 2003, to identify cases with
sickness absences that exceeded 8 weeks. Results: During follow-up 486 persons (9.1%) experienced one or more
periods of absence that exceeded 8 weeks. Higher risk of long-term sickness
absence was associated with gender, age, educational level, and the municipal
employment sector. Kindergarten teachers and people employed in day care,
health care, janitorial work, food preparation, and unskilled workers were at
greatest risk. Managers, computer professionals, technicians and designers, and
professionals had lower risks. The health care and social service sectors were
also in the high risk category, whereas the private administration sector had a
lower risk. Conclusions: The study identifies specific occupational target
populations and documents the need to perform job-specific research and tailor
interventions if the intended policy of decreasing long-term sickness absence
within the Danish labour market is to be realized.
