Examining the likelihood of experiencing productivity loss and receiving social security disability income following the onset of chronic disease

 OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to examine the likelihood of reporting productivity loss and receiving social security disability (SSD) income following a chronic health condition diagnosis using a longitudinal panel design.

METHODS: Using the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate the likelihood of reporting productivity loss or receiving SSD following the diagnosis of arthritis, cancer, psychological problems, or heart conditions. Respondents reporting a new diagnosis of a condition were matched with five similarly aged respondents not reporting a diagnosis.

RESULTS: For all conditions except cancer, the odds of reporting productivity loss and receiving SSD increased at both the wave where the condition was first reported and 2 years after for respondents reporting a condition compared with those not reporting a condition.

CONCLUSIONS: The onset of chronic disease increases the likelihood of experiencing productivity loss and receiving SSD.