Differences in health status among workers who acquired COVID-19 at work compared to workers who sustained a non-COVID-19 work-related injury or illness, 18-months post-injury/infection.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the physical and mental health status of workers who experienced work-related COVID-19 infections versus workers with other types of work-related injuries, 18 months after the initial work absence.

METHODS

We collected survey data from 1,000 workers with workers' compensation claims between July and October 2022, and examined differences in seven self-reported physical and mental health outcomes. Potential outcome mediation models examined factors associated with observed differences in health outcomes.

RESULTS

We observed better self-rated health, physical role function, and less psychological distress among respondents with COVID-19 compared to non-COVID-19 claims. Reporting a disagreement with the workers' compensation agency partially explained these differences.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite concern over the long-term health impacts of COVID-19 infections, workers with COVID-19 infections reported similar or better health than those with non-COVID-19 work-related injuries, 18 months later.