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
![A seated woman with a clipboard in-hand speaks to a female client](/sites/iwh/files/styles/bootstrap_6_col_wide/public/iwh/images/iStock-1681105205.jpg?h=62bc044e&itok=_-RX-pME)
Research Highlights
How do employment support programs impact the health of young adults with episodic disabilities?
Episodic disabilities can make it challenging for workers to find and sustain employment while managing their symptoms and work demands. An IWH study investigated the health impacts of employment support programs for young adults with episodic disabilities.
Published: April 8, 2024
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IWH Speaker Series
Unveiling the JDAPT: A new interactive tool to identify work-related support strategies for workers with chronic conditions and disability
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 21, 2023
![Two women sharing a confidence at work](/sites/iwh/files/styles/bootstrap_4_col_widescreen/public/iwh/images/disclosure_episodic_disabilities.jpg?h=b6135e69&itok=YK9Duv0K)
At Work article
People’s reasons for disclosing episodic disabilities linked to support they receive
Should people with an episodic disability disclose their condition at work? It's a complex decision. This new study looks at people's reasons for disclosing (or not) and explores whether they are linked to outcomes.
Published: February 2021
Journal article
Journal article
Occupational exposure and post-traumatic stress disorder: a rapid review
Published: Work, February 2021
Journal article
Journal article
Job strain, overweight, and diabetes: a 13-year prospective study among 12,896 men and women in Ontario
Published: Psychosomatic Medicine, February 2021
Journal article
Journal article
Does it matter what your reasons are when deciding to disclose (or not disclose) a disability at work? The association of workers' approach and avoidance goals with perceived positive and negative workplace outcomes
Published: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, February 2021
Journal article
Journal article
Online resources supporting workers with chronic episodic disabilities: an environmental scan
Published: International Journal of Workplace Health Management, January 2021
Journal article
Journal article
The working disadvantaged: the role of age, job tenure and disability in precarious work
Published: BMC Public Health, December 2020
IWH Speaker Series
IWH Speaker Series
Does it matter what workers’ reasons are for disclosing or not disclosing a disability at work? Why and how?
Deciding whether or not to disclose a disability to others at work is a complex consideration. People with many chronic mental and physical health conditions, often called episodic disabilities, experience times of relative wellness punctuated by intermittent periods of activity limitations. How do they decide whether or not to disclose their health conditions? In this presentation, Dr. Monique Gignac shares findings from her study examining participants' reasons and goals for disclosing—and whether these matter to work support outcomes.
Published: November 2020
![Illustration taken from the tool](/sites/iwh/files/styles/bootstrap_4_col_widescreen/public/iwh/images/working-with-rheumatic-disease-banner.jpg?h=0206ae3b&itok=KC9pWLKv)
Tools and guides
Working with a rheumatic disease
This interactive tool is designed for youth and young adults with rheumatic health conditions such as juvenile arthritis or lupus as they begin their working lives. It is designed to help them identify and address the unique challenges they may face when looking for work, already working or unable to work due to their health condition.
Published: November 2020
![Monochrome splatter painting of a woman in distress](/sites/iwh/files/styles/bootstrap_4_col_widescreen/public/iwh/images/depression_woman_monochrome.jpg?h=a159dc54&itok=FF7pSUFF)
At Work article
Depressive symptoms in people with arthritis linked to lower employment rates
Research has shown that people with arthritis face difficulties finding work and staying at work. Now, a new study finds that when people with arthritis also have depressive symptoms, the risks of work disability are even greater.
Published: October 2020
![Monochrome splatter painting of a woman in distress](/sites/iwh/files/styles/bootstrap_4_col_widescreen/public/iwh/images/depression_woman_monochrome.jpg?h=a159dc54&itok=FF7pSUFF)
Research Highlights
Depression and work among adults with arthritis
About 13 per cent of working-age people in the U.S. who have arthritis also experience depressive symptoms. Having both arthritis and depressive symptoms lowers the likelihood of working. For people aged 35 to 54, having depressive symptoms in addition to arthritis lowers the likelihood of working by 17 per cent.
Published: October 2020