Policies to reduce influenza in the workplace: Impact assessments using an agent-based model

S. Kumar, J.J. Grefenstette, D. Galloway, S.M. Albert and D.S. Burke

American Journal of Public Health, 2013, vol. 103, issue 8, 1406-1411

Abstract: Objectives. We examined the impact of access to paid sick days (PSDs) and stay-at-home behavior on the influenza attack rate in workplaces. Methods. We used an agent-based model of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, with PSD data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, standard influenza epidemic parameters, and the probability of staying home when ill. We compared the influenza attack rate among employees resulting from workplace transmission, focusing on the effects of presenteeism (going to work when ill). Results. In a simulated influenza epidemic (R0 = 1.4), the attack rate among employees owing to workplace transmission was 11.54%. A large proportion (72.00%) of this attack rate resulted from exposure to employees engaging in presenteeism. Universal PSDs reduced workplace infections by 5.86%. Providing 1 or 2 "flu days"-allowing employees with influenza to stay home-reduced workplace infections by 25.33% and 39.22%, respectively. Conclusions. PSDs reduce influenza transmission owing to presenteeism and, hence, the burden of influenza illness in workplaces. © 2013 American Journal of Public Health.

Keywords: article; disease transmission; human; influenza; medical leave; nonbiological model; occupational health; policy; statistics; United States; workplace, Humans; Influenza, Human; Models, Organizational; Occupational Health; Organizational Policy; Pennsylvania; Sick Leave; Workplace (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2013.301269_6

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2013.301269

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