A surreal illustration symbolizing the complexities of sickness absence and its relationship to employment status, featuring figures navigating a labyrinth.

Unlocking the Secrets of Sickness Absence: What Finnish Data Reveals About Employment Status and Health

Soraya Malik in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 4 min read.

"A deep dive into a Finnish study uncovers surprising links between employment status, length of sickness absence, and socio-economic factors, highlighting critical insights for public health and workplace wellness."

Sickness absence is a pervasive issue impacting both individual well-being and national economies. Understanding the factors that contribute to prolonged periods of absence is crucial for developing effective strategies to support workers and reduce the burden on healthcare systems. While much attention has been paid to employed populations, less is known about the sickness absence patterns of entrepreneurs, the unemployed, and those in precarious employment situations.

A groundbreaking study conducted in Finland sheds light on this critical gap in our knowledge. By analyzing data from a large, representative sample of the Finnish population, researchers have uncovered significant differences in the incidence and length of sickness absence (SA) across various employment groups. The findings reveal that while manual workers experience the highest rates of sickness absence, entrepreneurs and the unemployed suffer from significantly longer periods of absence, raising important questions about socio-economic disparities and access to healthcare.

This article delves into the key findings of this Finnish study, exploring the nuances of sickness absence among different employment groups. We will examine the factors that contribute to prolonged absences, the implications for public health policy, and the steps that can be taken to better support those outside traditional employment structures. By understanding these dynamics, we can work towards creating a more equitable and supportive environment for all members of the workforce.

The Finnish Sickness Absence Study: A Detailed Look

A surreal illustration symbolizing the complexities of sickness absence and its relationship to employment status, featuring figures navigating a labyrinth.

The Finnish study, published in the European Journal of Public Health, utilized data from the Social Insurance Institution of Finland to analyze sickness absence spells lasting over 10 working days in 2013. The researchers linked this data to socio-demographic information from a 70% random sample of the Finnish non-retired population aged 25–62. This comprehensive dataset, encompassing over 1.6 million individuals, allowed for a robust analysis of sickness absence patterns across different occupational groups.

The study employed zero-inflated negative binomial regression models to assess both the incidence of sickness absence and the total number of days in incident SA spells. These models were adjusted for key demographic factors such as age, income, marital status, and region, ensuring a rigorous and nuanced understanding of the data.

Manual Workers: Highest incidence of sickness absence.
Entrepreneurs and Unemployed: Longer sickness absence spells.
Musculoskeletal Diseases: Significant contributor to long absences among men.
Mental Disorders: Notable factor in extended absences among women.

The results revealed that 7% of men and 10% of women experienced new incident SA spells, with the mean number of SA days being 84 and 71, respectively. While manual workers had the highest incidence of sickness absence, the study also highlighted that entrepreneurs, the unemployed, and those without employment experienced significantly longer periods of absence. This disparity was particularly pronounced in cases involving musculoskeletal diseases among men and mental disorders among women.

Implications and Recommendations

The findings of the Finnish study underscore the importance of addressing socio-economic disparities in access to healthcare and support services. While policies often focus on employed populations, it is crucial to recognize the unique challenges faced by entrepreneurs, the unemployed, and those in precarious employment situations. By implementing targeted interventions and promoting inclusive policies, we can work towards reducing the burden of sickness absence and promoting the well-being of all members of society.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1093/eurpub/ckx189.014, Alternate LINK

Title: Incidence And Length Of Sickness Absence In The Employed And Non-Employed Finnish Population

Subject: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Journal: European Journal of Public Health

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)

Authors: S Jäppinen, J Blomgren

Published: 2017-10-20

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is 'sickness absence' and why should we care about it?

Sickness absence refers to the time an employee is away from work due to illness or injury. It's important because prolonged absences can significantly impact both individual well-being and national economies. Understanding the patterns and causes of sickness absence, especially among different employment groups, is crucial for developing effective support strategies and reducing the burden on healthcare systems. Factors that determine the length of time include the specific ailment (such as musculoskeletal diseases or mental disorders), employment status, and access to healthcare and support services.

Can you explain how the Finnish Sickness Absence Study was conducted?

The Finnish Sickness Absence Study used data from the Social Insurance Institution of Finland, analyzing sickness absence spells lasting over 10 working days in 2013. Researchers linked this data to socio-demographic information from a large sample of the Finnish population. This comprehensive dataset, encompassing over 1.6 million individuals, allowed for a robust analysis of sickness absence patterns across different occupational groups. The Finnish data highlights the importance of addressing socio-economic disparities in access to healthcare and support services.

What are 'zero-inflated negative binomial regression models' and why were they used?

Zero-inflated negative binomial regression models were used to assess both the incidence of sickness absence and the total number of days in incident SA spells. These models are statistical tools that help researchers understand the relationship between different factors (like employment status and socio-economic status) and the occurrence and duration of sickness absence. By using these models and adjusting for demographic factors such as age, income, marital status, and region, researchers can gain a more accurate and nuanced understanding of the data and identify key drivers of sickness absence.

What were the main differences in sickness absence among various employment groups in Finland?

The Finnish study found that manual workers experienced the highest incidence of sickness absence. Entrepreneurs and the unemployed, while not having the highest incidence, suffered from significantly longer periods of absence. These findings highlight disparities across different employment groups. For example, musculoskeletal diseases were a significant contributor to long absences among men, while mental disorders were a notable factor in extended absences among women. This suggests that different groups may face different challenges in accessing care and support, leading to longer periods of absence.

What actions can be taken based on the findings of the Finnish study?

The Finnish study suggests that policies should address socio-economic disparities in access to healthcare and support services, particularly for entrepreneurs, the unemployed, and those in precarious employment situations. Targeted interventions and inclusive policies can help reduce the burden of sickness absence and promote well-being. Addressing factors such as musculoskeletal diseases among men and mental disorders among women may require specific, tailored approaches to prevention and treatment.