title: Accounting for the historical rise in work-disability prevalence.
abstract: The growth in prevalence of functional disability among adults is commonly and uncritically attributed to changes in demographic, medical, and socioeconomic factors. Detailed analysis of self-reported work disability over the past 25 years shows that two-thirds of such disability is attributable to the growing prevalence of chronic diseases. Even as mortality rates continue to fall, the health status of adult Americans may be deteriorating.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003710:Demography; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States; D014937:Work; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation