Your odds of becoming disabled before you retire are about 1 in 3. And some of the causes of disability might surprise you. Some conditions that cause people to miss work include:
Here’s a closer look at some of the most common disabling conditions — and some tips on how to protect yourself from the high medical bills that may come with them.
Common Conditions That Cause Disability
Arthritis and other musculoskeletal problems. These are the most common causes of long-term disability. They make up as much as a third of all disability cases. Arthritis is probably the biggest single cause.
About 1 in 3 people say arthritis affects their ability to do their jobs in some way, according to the CDC.
Other muscle and joint problems — bad backs, bones that never mend, bad hips — are common causes of disability too, says Matt Tassey. He’s a former chairman of the nonprofit Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education (LIFE).
Heart disease and stroke. People may live with heart disease for years or decades. It can severely limit their ability to work. Studies estimate that heart disease is now the reason for 17% of all health costs in the U.S.
Cancer. While cancer itself can be disabling, treatments such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy can also make it difficult to work.
“Cancer is the fastest-growing cause for disability claims,” Tassey says. Why? In part, this reflects a rising rate of cancer, he says. It could also result from more effective treatment. “We’re doing medical miracles today,” he says. “People are living much longer after a cancer diagnosis than they once did.”
Mental health problems. You might think of disability as physical, but mental health problems can make work difficult or impossible. Depression, bipolar disorder, and other conditions can be as disabling as any physical illness.
Mental health problems are the most common reason that people file for Social Security disability, Tassey says.
Diabetes. As a cause of disability, diabetes is rising fast, Tassey says. Along with obesity, it’s linked to a number of serious health problems, like heart disease.