Study: 78% of US Workers Have Chronic Conditions Despite Falling Disability Claims

OAKLAND, Calif. - EntSun -- OAKLAND, CA – A new study by the Integrated Benefits Institute (IBI) reveals that 78.4% of the US workforce now has at least one chronic condition, up 5.1% since 2021. Despite this increase, disability claims have dropped significantly, creating what researchers call "the disability paradox."

The analysis of 47,450 workers found that employees with chronic conditions miss 2.5 times more workdays than healthy counterparts. Workers with three or more conditions average 7.8 missed days annually compared to 2.2 days for those without chronic conditions.

"These findings reveal both challenges and opportunities for employers," said Carole Bonner, lead researcher at IBI. "While chronic condition prevalence is rising, we're seeing encouraging trends in disability management."

Healthcare Access Crisis Emerges

The study uncovered alarming healthcare barriers affecting productivity. Nearly 60% of workers skip medications due to cost—an 8% increase since 2021—while 14.6% face unmet medical needs despite coverage. Workers with healthcare access barriers show 72% higher absenteeism rates.

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Musculoskeletal conditions affect 59.5% of the workforce, followed by obesity (34.4%) and anxiety/depression (22.5%). The largest increases occurred in stroke cases (+57.1%), chronic pain (+19.0%), and migraines (+16.6%).

Disability Claims Decline Despite Rising Conditions

Remarkably, short-term disability claims decreased 27% and long-term disability claims dropped 21.1% from 2021-2023. Return-to-work rates improved 24.8%, while conversion from short-term to long-term disability plummeted 40.4%.

Overtime Impacts Worker Health

Excessive overtime (48+ hours weekly) increases unmet healthcare needs by 23% and is associated with 17% higher chronic pain rates. Workers reporting unmet healthcare needs experience 121% higher chronic pain rates.

Strategic Solutions for Employers

1. Address healthcare access through expanded benefits and flexible work arrangements
2. Manage overtime effectively with workload monitoring and ergonomic support
3. Implement condition-specific interventions for mental health and pain management
4. Adopt data-driven wellness strategies to identify high-risk groups

Organizations implementing data-driven programs achieved 62.7% reductions in disability conversion rates and 39.1% better return-to-work outcomes for mental health cases.

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The study analyzed National Health Interview Survey data (2021-2023) and IBI disability claims data, examining nine chronic conditions including anxiety/depression, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and musculoskeletal disorders.

About the Integrated Benefits Institute

IBI is a leading research organization focused on workforce health, disability, and productivity, providing evidence-based insights to help employers optimize health investments while improving employee wellbeing.

Media Contact: Carole Bonner Integrated Benefits Institute Email: cbonner@ibiweb.org Website: www.ibiweb.org

Resources:

• Full Report: https://www.ibiweb.org/resources/chronic-conditions-in-the-us-workforce-prevalence-trends-and-productivity-impacts
• Infographic: https://www.ibiweb.org/resources/infographic-chronic-conditions-in-the-us-workforce-prevalence-trends-and-productivity-impacts