Workforce participation and productivity losses after head and neck cancer

Objectives: There has been no estimate of the productivity losses associated with head and neck cancer (HNC) conducted using bottom-up data, or beyond premature mortality. The aim of this work is to investigate workforce participation, and estimate the productivity losses associated with temporary and permanent work absence, reduced work hours, and premature mortality in individuals with HNC in Ireland. Methods: Survey data were collected from a cancer registry identified cohort of individuals in Ireland diagnosed with head and neck cancer between January 1994 and December 2011. Data collected included employment status at time of diagnosis and workforce participation patterns following diagnosis. These data were combined with population-level survival estimates and national wage data to estimate the value of temporary and permanent work absence, reduced work hours and premature mortality using a Human Capital Approach. Results: Of the survey respondents, 276 were in paid work at the time of diagnosis. 88% had time off following diagnosis, with 63% of these returning to work. The mean (median) time off work was 9 months (6 months), range of 0 to 65 months. 70% of individuals returning to work reported reducing the hours they worked, by an average of 20 hours per week. Preliminary results show the average productivity losses per person associated with temporary and permanent work absence and reduced work hours are €222,000. Productivity losses associated with premature mortality and the results of sensitivity analyses to test discount and wage growth rates will also be presented. Conclusions: Head and neck cancer and its treatment can have a profound impact on workforce participation. This affects not only the individuals’ and their families, but also society in terms of productivity costs. These costs should be considered in economic evaluations of cancer treatments and health service delivery in this population.