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
Tools and guides
Decision-support for Communicating about Invisible Disabilities that are Episodic (DCIDE)
Published: December 13, 2024
At Work article
A new tool to help workers make health disclosure decision
IWH’s new tool, called DCIDE, is designed for workers with chronic and episodic conditions.
Published: December 9, 2024
Journal article
Journal article
Including the ergonomist's voice in integrating MSD prevention and psychological health and safety: challenges, tools, and considerations
Published: Applied Ergonomics, January 2025
Tools and guides
Decision-support for Communicating about Invisible Disabilities that are Episodic (DCIDE)
Decision-Support for Communicating about Invisible Disabilities that are Episodic (DCIDE ) is a free tool that aims to help workers consider whether or not to share some personal health information with others at work.
Published: December 2024
At Work article
A new tool to help workers make health disclosure decision
Workers with chronic or episodic health conditions may face the decision of whether to disclose their health information at work. But many find this decision challenging and stressful. A worker may need supports due to their condition but may worry that sharing health information could impact their reputation or job security. A new IWH tool, called DCIDE, was developed to help workers make these hard decisions.
Published: December 2024
IWH Speaker Series
IWH Speaker Series
Deciding whether to share health information at work: A new evidence-based tool for workers with chronic conditions
Workers with chronic and episodic physical and mental health conditions often struggle when deciding whether to seek support from their workplace. In making decisions, they weigh risks like the loss of privacy or reputation if they disclose their needs, versus concerns about job difficulties and work performance if they don’t receive support.
In this presentation, Dr. Monique Gignac focuses on the challenges inherent in the decision-making process. She also describes a new decision-support tool called DCIDE that aims to help workers navigate the complexity of disclosure decisions. Developed as part of a large research partnership with input from researchers, people with lived experiences, and health charities, DCIDE is an online, interactive tool that guides users through disclosure decisions and links them with additional resources to support their disclosure and privacy preferences.
In this presentation, Dr. Monique Gignac focuses on the challenges inherent in the decision-making process. She also describes a new decision-support tool called DCIDE that aims to help workers navigate the complexity of disclosure decisions. Developed as part of a large research partnership with input from researchers, people with lived experiences, and health charities, DCIDE is an online, interactive tool that guides users through disclosure decisions and links them with additional resources to support their disclosure and privacy preferences.
Published: November 2024
At Work article
Workplace supports buffer productivity impacts of rheumatic diseases and depression
Young adults who live with both a rheumatic disease and depression have lower productivity than those who have only one or neither condition. That’s according to a new IWH study. Findings from this small study also suggest that having a supportive working environment can buffer the lost productivity issues.
Published: October 2024
Journal article
Journal article
Incorporating sex and gender considerations in research on psychosocial work exposures and cardiovascular diseases: a systematic review of 55 prospective studies
Published: Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, October 2024
Journal article
Journal article
Developing a gender measure and examining its association with cardiovascular diseases incidence: a 28-year prospective cohort study
Published: BMC Medicine, October 2024
Journal article
Journal article
Disclosure decisions of workers living with a chronic health condition causing disability at work: are decisions to disclose to co-workers and supervisors different?
Published: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, September 2024
Journal article
Journal article
The Job Demands and Accommodation Planning Tool (JDAPT): a nine-month evaluation of use, changes in self-efficacy, presenteeism, and absenteeism in workers with chronic and episodic disabilities
Published: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, August 2024
Journal article
Journal article
Double trouble! Do workplace supports mitigate lost productivity for young workers with both severe rheumatic diseases and depressive symptoms?
Published: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, July 2024