disability

State workers' compensation policies affect costs and disability time

Some policies linked to higher or lower impact of occupational back pain

December 15, 2015

Certain workers' compensation (WC) policies explain much of the state-level variation in costs and outcomes of claims for low back pain (LBP), reports a study in the December Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, official publication of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM).

Hearing loss in older adults — Its effect on mental health

November 16, 2015

Coping with hearing loss is different from other disabilities in that it is an invisible handicap. The reactions or behaviors associated with hearing loss may not be apparent, and even the sight of a hearing aid doesn’t guarantee recognition of a disability.

U.S. Chamber releases list of most ridiculous lawsuits of 2014

December 26, 2014

A plaintiff in a pending disability lawsuit being caught on video knocking over a large, historic boulder tops the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform’s (ILR) “Top Ten Most Ridiculous Lawsuits of 2014” survey.

Why some workers do better after injuries than others

June 20, 2014

Workers who are concerned about being fired after an injury experience poorer return-to-work outcomes than workers without those worries, according to new studies from Massachusetts’ Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI).

Study details cost of cancer in employees

December 13, 2012

Cancer in U.S. workers leads to productivity losses of more than 33 million disability days per year, according to a study in the December Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, official publication of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM). Most affected: smaller companies.

Family background may increase risk of back problems

Study: Prevention may need to start in early life

November 15, 2012

Work and lifestyle factors affecting the risk of disability due to low back disorders tend to be shared among family members, reports a study in the November Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, official publication of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM).

Helping workers with back pain get back to work

August 16, 2012

Medical advice on staying active can have a positive affect on workers who are on medical leave due to lower back pain, a new study finds.

Disabled workers get injured more both on and off the job

August 14, 2012

U.S. workers who have disabilities are injured at more than twice the rate of workers who are not disabled, according to new research published in the September issue of the American Journal of Public Health.

Weight loss, increased fitness help aging type 2 diabetics stay mobile

April 1, 2012

Weight loss and increased physical fitness nearly halved the risk of losing mobility in overweight or obese adults with type 2 diabetes, according to four-year results from the Look AHEAD (Action for Health in Diabetes) trial funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Report highlights work-related MSD prevention

January 15, 2012

A newly released document presents an overview on contemporary work disability research -- and identifies some successful strategies for preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs).