A recent study has revealed that mental health issues, including depression, cause a greater loss of productivity-adjusted life years (PALYs) than musculoskeletal or cardiovascular diseases. Conducted by the University of Eastern Finland, the Finnish Social Insurance Institution (Kela), and Monash University in Australia, this study was the first to quantify PALY losses due to chronic conditions at the population level in Finland. The findings were published in the respected journal Value in Health.
The PALY metric, developed at Monash University, measures the burden of diseases in terms of work and functional capacity. It calculates the number of years a person can perform at full capacity, considering the demands of both work and personal life.
According to the study, mental health disorders such as depression result in the loss of 99,570 PALYs annually at work and 256,086 PALYs in home and volunteer activities among Finns aged 18-79 years. The impact is particularly severe among young women aged 18-34. In comparison, musculoskeletal diseases cause an annual loss of 67,945 PALYs at work and 198,544 PALYs in personal life. Cardiovascular diseases result in the loss of 55,329 PALYs at work and 143,453 PALYs in personal activities.
The study also examined other chronic conditions, including asthma, diabetes, gastrointestinal diseases, migraines, and thyroid conditions. However, none had the widespread productivity impacts seen with mental health disorders.
Finland has long recognized mental health problems as a major cause of sick leave, especially among younger adults. According to Kela, mental health issues have been the leading reason for sick leave among individuals aged 16-34 and, since 2017, have become the most common reason for those aged 35-49 as well. Although musculoskeletal conditions remain the top cause for older adults, mental health issues are increasingly prevalent in all age groups.
Piia Lavikainen, a senior researcher from the University of Eastern Finland, noted that the rise in mental health issues among young adults could partly be due to improved diagnosis and reduced stigma. However, she also pointed to the pressures of modern working life and the influence of social media as contributing factors.
The study used data from a representative sample of 2,187 Finnish adults, stratified by age, gender, and region. Respondents were surveyed about their illnesses and perceived work and functional capacity, with the data then extrapolated to represent the entire Finnish population using demographic data from Statistics Finland. PALYs were estimated based on gender, age, and the prevalence of chronic conditions, combined with their impact on work and functional capacity.
Professor Janne Martikainen, who led the study, highlighted the value of the PALY metric for understanding the true societal cost of diseases. “The productivity-adjusted life year (PALY) offers a new perspective on the burden of diseases. It will allow us to better assess the societal benefits of preventive measures and treatments in the future,” he explained.
As mental health disorders continue to rise, understanding their impact on productivity and well-being is crucial for developing policies and interventions to mitigate these effects.
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