People aged 65 years and older account for only a small share (0.7%) of people who report taking a bed day due to spinal pain or problems, in spite of the number who report having pain. Younger people, aged 18 to 45 years, account for slightly more than half (52%) of the total 170.7 million bed days taken in 2012 due to back pain.  (Reference Table 9B.2.1 PDF CSV)

Lost work days due to spine pain or problems in 2012 were taken primarily by people aged 18 to 64 years, the prime workforce ages, and split nearly equally between those under and over the age of 45 years. In 2012, 290.8 million work days were reported lost due to back pain. (Reference Table 9B.2.1 PDF CSV)