The health risk of being out of work long term is greater than the risk of other killer diseases such as coronary heart disease.
Being out of work long term can:
* be a greater risk to a person's health than some of the most dangerous jobs (Aylward, 2007)
* increase six-fold of the general suicide rate (Bartley et al, 2005), or
* be similar to smoking 10 packets of cigarettes a day (Ross, 1995).
Another confronting statistic is a 50-fold increase in the suicide rate for young men out of work longer than six months (Wessely, 2004).
Not surprisingly, for most people returning to work as soon as possible after a work-related injury is the "healthiest" option.
As an injured worker's first point of contract, GPs play a vital role in helping ensure, where appropriate, that patients safely return to work.
Even returning to work part time or on modified duties brings financial and social benefits and is likely to contribute significantly to not only the ultimate return to work, but also to physical and mental health.
As Dunstan concludes "...work is generally good for people, and work absence is not. Sickness certificates should be issued with the same caution that applies to other treatments carrying significant health risk" (Dunstan, 2009).