Socio-economic disparities and returning to work following an injury

Abstract Background Traumatic injury is one of the main reasons for temporary and permanent occupational disability. The objective of this study was to define the role of socio-economic position on post-injury occupational absenteeism. Methods This was a nationwide retrospective cohort study, based on linking The Israeli National Trauma Registry (INTR) and the National Insurance Institute (NII) databases. The study population included 44,740 injured workers (residents of Israel, aged 21–67, hospitalized between 2008 and 2013 and employed prior to injury as salaried workers). Logistic-regression models tested the probability of not returning to work (RTW). Results The majority of the study population (61%) RTW within 1 month following the injury event. Income prior to injury was significantly associated with longer out of work stay, explaining 9% variance. A significant interaction (p value