Chronic conditions and work
Chronic conditions refer to diseases and health conditions that last a long time and generally progress slowly. Although they can occur at any age, they become more common later in life. They are often invisible, sometimes episodic (i.e. they come and go) and often characterized by fluctuating symptoms that leave people disabled one day and functional the next. Examples of chronic diseases include arthritis, diabetes, chronic pain, depression and fibromyalgia. IWH research in this area focuses on the effects of chronic disease on work participation and productivity, as well as the effectiveness of job accommodations, benefits and other programs to ensure workers with chronic disease can stay at, or return to, work.
IWH Speaker Series
IWH Speaker Series
Life course concepts in the work experiences of people with arthritis
Arthritis is one of the most common causes of work disability in Canada. Among those with arthritis, three in five are in their working years (ages 18 to 65 years). Yet, little research has looked into the work experiences of young and middle-aged adults with arthritis. In this plenary, Dr. Arif Jetha shares his research examining the impact of important life transitions on the work experiences of young, middle-aged and older adults with arthritis.
Published: November 2016
At Work article
Disability leave duration rises with age, chronic conditions
The relationship between age and days on disability changes with different chronic conditions.
Published: August 2016
IWH in the media
Age and length of disability for eight chronic conditions
Does an aging American workforce mean more time lost due to chronic conditions such as arthritis, cancer, chronic pulmonary disease, coronary artery disease, diabetes, depression, hypertension, and low back pain?
Published: LexisNexis Legal Newsroom/Workers' Compensation Law, April 2016
Journal article
Journal article
Comparing the relationship between age and length of disability across common chronic conditions
Published: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, January 2016
IWH in the media
Working with arthritis
Employees with arthritis may have limitations, but accommodations can help, according to an article that cites a study by Institute for Work & Health (IWH)'s Dr. Monique Gignac.
Published: Safety + Health, January 2016
IWH in the media
Benefits, accommodations help arthritis sufferers at work
Providing workplace benefits and accommodations to employees suffering from arthritis can help them maintain concentration and the pace of work, the Institute for Work & Health said in recognition of Arthritis Awareness Month in Canada.
Published: Safety + Health, September 2015
IWH in the media
Workplace supports help employees with arthritis
Canadians who have difficulty working because of their arthritis report fewer job disruptions when they use workplace supports, says a study by the Institute for Work & Health (IWH).
Published: Benefits Canada, September 2015
At Work article
Employer supports improve function and productivity of workers with arthritis
Study finds not everyone needs accommodation, and that different accommodations meet the needs of different individuals
Published: February 2015
Project
Project
Developing an evidence base on sex/gender differences in the relationship between working conditions and injury risk, chronic illnesses and return to work
Are there important male and female differences in the assessment of work stress, the biological and behavioural reactions to work stress, and the relationship between work stress and risk of subsequent disease? This IWH study expects to find out.
Status: Completed 2018
Project
Project
Understanding the relationship between osteoarthritis and work: a systematic review
An IWH systematic review team took a look at the research to ascertain the level and quality of evidence for a causal relationship between work-related activities/exposures and the development of osteoarthritis.
Status: Completed 2018