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QuickStats: Average Number of Work-Loss Days During the Preceding 12 Months Among Persons Aged 18--64 Years,* by Age Group and Sex --- National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2007†

The figure shows the average number of work-loss days during the preceding 12 months among persons aged 18-64 years, by age group and sex from the 2007 National Health Interview Survey. In 2007, U.S. adults who had worked in the past week missed 4.0 days of work on average during the 12 months preceding the interview. Work-loss days increased with age for both men and women. Men aged 18-24 years missed 2.1 days of work, aged 25-44 years missed 3.7 days, and aged 45-64 years missed 4.5 days. Women aged 18-24 years missed 2.6 days of work, aged 25-44 years missed 4.0 days, and aged 45-64 years missed 5.5 days.

* Based on responses to the question, "In the past 12 months...about how many days did you miss work at a job or business because of illness or injury (do not include maternity leave)?" Only respondents who had worked in the past week were asked this question.

† Estimates are based on household interviews of a sample of the civilian, noninstitutionalized U.S. population and are derived from the National Health Interview Survey sample adult component.

§ 95% confidence interval.

In 2007, U.S. adults who had worked in the past week missed 4.0 days of work on average during the 12 months preceding the interview. Work-loss days increased with age for both men and women. Men aged 18--24 years missed 2.1 days of work, aged 25--44 years missed 3.7 days, and aged 45--64 years missed 4.5 days. Women aged 18--24 years missed 2.6 days of work, aged 25--44 years missed 4.0 days, and aged 45--64 years missed 5.5 days.

SOURCES: National Health Interview Survey 2007 data. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis.htm. Pleis JR, Lucas JW. Summary health statistics for U.S. adults: National Health Interview Survey, 2007. Vital Health Stat 2009;10(240). Available at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_10/sr10_240.pdf.

Alternative Text: The figure above shows the average number of work-loss days during the preceding 12 months among persons aged 18-64 years, by age group and sex from the 2007 National Health Interview Survey. In 2007, U.S. adults who had worked in the past week missed 4.0 days of work on average during the 12 months preceding the interview. Work-loss days increased with age for both men and women. Men aged 18-24 years missed 2.1 days of work, aged 25-44 years missed 3.7 days, and aged 45-64 years missed 4.5 days. Women aged 18-24 years missed 2.6 days of work, aged 25-44 years missed 4.0 days, and aged 45-64 years missed 5.5 days.

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Date last reviewed: 8/6/2009