title: Multiple chronic conditions and labor force outcomes: A population study of U.S. adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although 1-in-5 adults have multiple (≥ 2) chronic conditions, limited attention has been given to the association between multiple chronic conditions and employment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional data (2011 National Health Interview Survey) and multivariate regression analyses were used to examine the association among multiple chronic conditions, employment, and labor force outcomes for U.S. adults aged 18-64 years, controlling for covariates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among U.S. adults aged 18-64 years (unweighted, n = 25,458), having multiple chronic conditions reduced employment probability by 11-29%. Some individual chronic conditions decreased employment probability. Among employed adults (unweighted, n = 16,096), having multiple chronic conditions increased the average number of work days missed due to injury/illness in the past year by 3-9 days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Multiple chronic conditions are a barrier to employment and increase the number of work days missed, placing affected individuals at a financial disadvantage. Researchers interested in examining consequences of multiple chronic conditions should give consideration to labor force outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Division of Health Interview Statistics, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hyattsville, Maryland.
authors.forename: Brian W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Ward
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: chronic disease; employment; personal earnings; sick days; work hours