Am J Prev Med. 2025 Aug 12. pii: S0749-3797(25)00524-0. [Epub ahead of print] 108056
INTRODUCTION: Information on productivity losses due to nonfatal injuries is limited. This study estimated annual productivity losses attributable to nonfatal injuries among U.S. adults aged ≥18 years in 2023.
METHODS: Productivity losses attributable to nonfatal injuries were estimated using the human capital approach. Various data sources, including the 2021 and 2023 National Health Interview Survey and published literature, were used to estimate the cost of absenteeism, presenteeism, inability to work, and household productivity loss, attributable to these injuries. All costs were estimated for 2023, and all analyses were conducted in 2025.
RESULTS: In 2023, the total annual cost of productivity losses attributable to nonfatal injuries among U.S. adults was $25.15 billion (prediction interval [PI]=$10.29, $43.95 billion). Of this amount, absenteeism accounted for $8.95 billion (PI=$4.92, $14.21 billion), representing 36% of the total; presenteeism contributed $6.33 billion (PI=$2.74, $11.10 billion), or 25%; inability to work resulted in costs of $9.67 billion (PI=$2.54, $18.32 billion), or 38%; and household productivity loss totaled $0.20 billion (PI=$0.10, $0.32 billion), which is nearly 1% of the overall cost.
CONCLUSIONS: The annual cost of productivity losses from nonfatal injuries among U.S. adults is substantial in 2023. Public health strategies that reduce nonfatal injuries can create cost-savings for the U.S. economy by avoiding preventable work and personal time losses.