EMPLOYERS
What are the most common causes of disability?
Most people associate disability with accidents or workplace injuries. But the reality is:
- Long-term disabilities are primarily caused by illnesses such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these diseases cause major limitations in daily living for more than 25 million Americans.
- Arthritis and back pain are also main causes of disabilities.
- Personal behavior and lifestyle choices that lead to problems like obesity are rapidly growing factors in causing long-term disabilities. About a quarter of all adults in the U.S. are obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Disability in America
The number of U.S. workers experiencing a long-term disability continues to grow at an alarming rate.
- In 2005, 2.4 million people filed disability claims with Social Security.
- The latest U.S. Census estimated that there are over 30 million disabled Americans between ages 21 and 64.
Disability is a real and growing risk and is widespread in the United States. Learn what you can do to reduce your chances of disability.
Visit the CDA website for more information: www.disabilitycanhappen.org
