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Do workers underreport morbidity? The accuracy of self-reports of chronic conditions

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  • Datta Gupta, Nabanita
  • Jürges, Hendrik

Abstract

We use matched Danish health survey and register data to investigate discrepancies between register-based diagnoses and self-reported morbidity. We hypothesize that false negatives (medical diagnoses existing in the register but not reported in the survey) arise partly because individuals fear career repercussions of being discovered suffering a chronic or severe illness that potentially lowers productivity. We find evidence of substantial underreporting, which is indeed systematically higher for individuals in the labor market.

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  • Datta Gupta, Nabanita & Jürges, Hendrik, 2012. "Do workers underreport morbidity? The accuracy of self-reports of chronic conditions," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 75(9), pages 1589-1594.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:75:y:2012:i:9:p:1589-1594
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.07.013
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    Cited by:

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    2. Bauer, Ann Barbara & Eichenberger, Reiner, 2021. "Worsening workers' health by lowering retirement age: The malign consequences of a benign reform," The Journal of the Economics of Ageing, Elsevier, vol. 18(C).
    3. Nguyen, Giang & Nguyen, Trung Thanh, 2020. "Exposure to weather shocks: A comparison between self-reported record and extreme weather data," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 117-138.
    4. Black, Nicole & Johnston, David W. & Suziedelyte, Agne, 2017. "Justification bias in self-reported disability: New evidence from panel data," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 124-134.

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