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.
Featured

At Work article
IWH launches tool to help workers with chronic conditions find job-tailored accommodations
An IWH-led partnership launches the Job Demands and Accommodation Planning Tool (JDAPT), which is designed to help workers with chronic conditions identify job supports that may help them keep working without having to necessarily disclose their health condition
Published: March 24, 2023

At Work article
Study probes factors behind poorer health, lower employment in injured workers’ post-claim experience
What are the work and health outcomes of injured workers after they no longer receive workers' compensation benefits or services? A study at IWH sets out to explore this little understood aspect of the post-injury experience.
Published: November 23, 2021

At Work article
IWH launches tool to help workers with chronic conditions find job-tailored accommodations
An IWH-led partnership launches the Job Demands and Accommodation Planning Tool (JDAPT), which is designed to help workers with chronic conditions identify job supports that may help them keep working without having to necessarily disclose their health condition
Published: March 2023
IWH Speaker Series
IWH Speaker Series
Unveiling the JDAPT: A new interactive tool to identify work-related support strategies for workers with chronic conditions and disability
Many workers with chronic physical and mental health conditions struggle when deciding whether to seek support from their workplace. The Job Demands and Accommodation Planning Tool (JDAPT) is designed to help address the complexity of disclosure decisions. Developed as part of a large research partnership, the JDAPT is an online, interactive tool that guides users through a series of simple questions about their job demands, job tasks and working conditions. In this presentation, Dr. Monique Gignac describes the JDAPT tool, its development, as well as data from two studies on the tool. She discusses the JDAPT’s potential to help workers by focusing on work solutions, not medical diagnoses and symptoms.
Published: March 2023
News release
News release
New IWH tool helps workers with chronic conditions find job-tailored supports that allow them to keep working
Published: March 2023

Tools and guides
Job Demands and Accommodation Planning Tool (JDAPT)
This tool identifies job demands that are difficult for a worker with a chronic, potentially episodic, health condition and suggests personalized accommodation ideas tailored to these demands that can help the worker continue to work comfortably, safety and productively.
Published: March 2023
Journal article
Journal article
2021 EULAR points to consider to support people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases to participate in healthy and sustainable paid work
Published: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, January 2023

IWH in the media
Older employees reluctant to ask for support: study
When it comes to asking for support on the job, either due to health or family-related reasons, a deep hesitation is present among older workers, John Dujay reports.
Published: Canadian HR Reporter, November 2022
IWH Speaker Series
IWH Speaker Series
What do workplaces need to know to help older workers stay on the job? A qualitative study of older workers’ disclosure decisions
Historic labour shortages are affecting every Canadian job sector. Many workers aged 50 years or more want to work longer, often beyond the traditional retirement age. However, we understand little about the different workplace support needs they may have and whether workers choose to share their needs with others—especially given the negative stereotypes that often surround older workers. In this presentation, Dr. Monique Gignac shares insights from her study on older workers’ workplace support needs and disclosure decisions. She highlights how workplaces can help older workers stay on the job, regardless of whether they disclose their needs.
Published: September 2022

Research Highlights
Examining the link between job insecurity, work limitations and persistent symptoms among young adults with rheumatic disease
Young adults with rheumatic disease who reported high work activity limitations were also more likely to report persistent high levels of pain, fatigue and active rheumatic disease symptoms. Those who experienced job insecurity were more likely to report persistent pain and active disease symptoms. That's according to an IWH follow-up study conducted over 27 months.
Published: August 2022
Journal article
Journal article
Workers' activity profiles associated with predicted 10-year cardiovascular disease risk
Published: Journal of the American Heart Association, June 2022
Project
Project
What are the long-term health and labour market outcomes of workers who experienced work-related COVID-19 transmission?
This project fills an important knowledge gap by determining the health and return-to-work outcomes of Canadians who acquired COVID-19 at work.
Status: Ongoing