Trends in the prevalence of work disability from 1962 to 1984, and their correlates.
Self-reported disability has increased in recent decades among working-age persons, while age-specified mortality rates conversely have fallen. Current Population Survey data permit defining a statistical measure of disability based on the presence of work limitations and/or receipt of disability transfers tied to health-constrained employment. The proportions of people meeting the definition graphically trace a hump-shaped pattern, rising from the 1960s to peaks in the mid to late 1970s, at which time downturns occur. Changes in impairment/pathology alone are unlikely to account for the observed pattern; more plausibly, the changes are due to individuals' propensity to report health problems as the reason for constrained work or to receive disability transfers.
Wolfe
B L
BL
University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Haveman
R
R
D000328:Adult; D003710:Demography; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D014478:Unemployment / Q000639:trends; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014937:Work / Q000639:trends*