Health: Health Status

Statistic # 2411

According to a 2006 analysis of Health and Retirement Survey data, among adults who were age 51-61 in 1992, during the 10-year period ending in 2002 "More than 4 in 10 are diagnosed with major new medical conditions, including heart problems, cancer, serious lung problems, diabetes, strokes, and psychiatric problems. About one-third develop work disabilities -- health problems that curtail employment -- and about 7 percent develop disabilities severe enough to limit bathing, dressing, or eating. (p. 3)

Johnson, R. W., Mermin, G. B. T., & Uccello, C. E. (2006). How secure are retirement nest eggs? (An Issue in Brief No. 45). Chestnut Hill, MA: Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. Retrieved from http://crr.bc.edu/images/stories/Briefs/ib_45.pdf

This brief examines different types of negative events that can strike near retirement. It reports the incidence of widowhood, divorce, job layoffs, disability, and various medical conditions over a 10-year period, and estimates their impact on household wealth. Data come from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a nationally representative survey of older Americans conducted by the University of Michigan for the National Institute on Aging. The survey interviewed a large sample of non-institutionalized adults ages 51 to 61 in 1992 and re-interviewed them every other year. The analysis uses data through 2002, the most recent year available.

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 1974

In a 2006 analysis of data from the Health and Retirement Survey, adults 51-61 years of age "who were uninsured at baseline had a 35 percent higher mortality rate (adjusted for risk factors) than those with private insurance from 1992 to 2002. When the outcomes were analyzed over 2-year intervals, individuals who were uninsured at the start of each interval were 43 percent more likely to have a major decline in their overall health." (p. 277)

Baker, D. W., Sudano, J. J., Durazo-Arvizu, R., Feinglass, J., Witt, W. P., & Thompson, J. (2006). Health insurance coverage and the risk of decline in overall health and death among the near elderly, 1992-2002. Medical Care, 44(3), 277-282

This report presents an analysis of data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a prospective study of a national sample of community-dwelling adults 51 to 61 years old from 1992 to 2002. The researchers analyzed the relationship between insurance coverage and health outcomes by examining each one at 2-year intervals between HRS interviews over the 10-year study period.

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 1971

A 2004 analysis of National Health Interview Survey data indicates that the extent to which obesity contributes to disability "varies by age group, but it is clearly the dominant factor for those ages 50-59." Among this age group, disability increased only among the obese [and not among the non-obese]. In comparison, "obesity accounts for about half of the increased disability among those ages 18-29; about one-quarter for those ages 30-39; and about one-tenth for those ages 40-49." (Exhibit 4, p. 172)

Lakdawalla, D. N., Bhattacharya, J., & Goldman, D. P. (2004). Are the young becoming more disabled? Health Affairs (Project Hope), 23(1), 168-176.

This study analyzed data from the "National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) from 1984 to 2000, which contain individual-level information on the demographic and health status of a nationally representative sample of the U.S. civilian, noninstitutionalized population." (p. 169)

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 1861

According to a 2006 Census Bureau report , "data suggests that aging is associated with diminishing perceived health status." For example, 76.2% of people of age 18-24 reported excellent and very good health status, compared to 69% from age 25-44; 54.2% from age 45-64; and 31% of age 65 and over. Fair or poor health status was reported by 4.7% of people of age 18-24, compared to 8.5% from age 25-44; 17.8% from age 45-64; and 34.4% of age 65 and over. (Table 1, p. 3)

Bhandari, S. (2006). Health status, health insurance, and health services utililzation: 2001 (Household Economic Studies No. P70-106). Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved January 24, 2008 from http://www.census.gov/prod/2006pubs/p70-106.pdf

This report uses data from the third wave (2001-2002) of the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP). Respondents are interviewed every 4 months for 36-48 months. 26,800 interviews were obtained from 31,3000 units.

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 1798

According to the 2001-02 American Productivity Audit, 8.63 percent of 18 to 29 year old workers reported that they lost more than 2 hours a week in productive time due to pain-related conditions in the previous two weeks, compared to 8.40 percent of 30 to 39 year olds, 7.82 percent of 40 to 49 year olds, and 6.36 percent of 50 to 65 year olds. (p. 2450).




Stewart, W. F., Ricci, J. A., Chee, E., Morganstein, D., & Lipton, R. (2003). Lost productive time and cost due to common pain conditions in the US workforce. JAMA : The Journal of the American Medical Association, 290(18), 2443-2454

This study is based on data reporting "lost productive time during a 2 week period from a cross-sectional study using survey data from the American Productivity Audit of a random sample of 28902 working adults in the US between August 1, 2001 and July 30, 2002."

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 1745

According to CPS data on self-reported health status, "17 percent of persons age 55-64 have a work-limiting health problem compared with 9 percent of persons age 40-54 and 5 percent of persons age 30-39." (p. 32)

United States General Accounting Office. (2001). Older workers demographic trends pose challenges for employers and workers (GAO No. 02-85). Washington, D.C.: General Accounting Office. Retrieved December 1, 2007 from http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d0285.pdf 

This report "analyzed data from multiple years of the Current Population Survey (CPS), the Displaced Workers Supplement to the CPS (DWS), and the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and developed a projection method, based on BLS methodology, for estimating the age and occupational structure of the labor force and the relative wage structure in 2008."

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 1739

According to analysis of data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the injury and illness incidence rate gap has been closing between older and younger workers. The rate for younger workers has fallen from nearly double the rate of older workers to only about 40% higher in the period from 1994-2002. (p. 2)

Restrepo, T., Sobel, S., & Shuford, H. (2006). Age as a driver of frequency and severity (NCCI research brief). Boca Raton, FL: National Council on Compensation Insurance. Retrieved July 31, 2007 from https://www.ncci.com/ncci/media/pdf/research-age-frequency.pdf

This NCCI research brief from December 2006 examines Bureau of Labor Statistics data and claims data reported to NCCI to determine the effects of age as a driver of frequency and severity of employee injuries.

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 1736

According to the 2001-02 American Productivity Audit, the prevalence of depression among workers of all ages was 9.4% during a 2-week study period; among ages 18-35, the prevalance was 8.2%; among ages 35-40, 10.7%, and among ages 50-65, 9.1%. (Table 2, p. 3140) Among the workers with depression, 77.1% reported some lost productive time (LPT) related to depressive symptoms. LPT among depressed individuals was primarily explained by LPT while at work (82.1%). (p. 3140)

Stewart, W. F., Ricci, J. A., Chee, E., Hahn, S. R., & Morganstein, D. (2003). Cost of lost productive work time among US workers with depression. JAMA : The Journal of the American Medical Association, 289(23), 3135-3144.

All employed individuals who participated in the American Productivity Audit (conducted August 1, 2001-July 31, 2002) between May 20 and July 11, 2002, were eligible for the Depressive Disorders Study. Those who responded affirmatively to 2 depression-screening questions (n = 692), as well as a 1:4 stratified random sample of those responding in the negative (n = 435), were recruited for and completed a supplemental interview using the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders Mood Module for depression, the Somatic Symptom Inventory, and a medical and treatment history for depression. Excess lost productive time (LPT) costs from depression were derived as the difference in LPT among individuals with depression minus the expected LPT in the absence of depression projected to the US workforce.

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 1735

According to the 2001-02 American Productivity Audit, lost productive time due to back pain is higher in younger men; almost 3% of men in the 18-39 age range report 2 or more hours of lost productive time due to back pain, compared to approximately 2% or less in men 45 and older.  Less than 1.5% of women in all age groups report 2 hours or more of lost productive time due to back pain.(p. 2449-50)

Stewart, W. F., Ricci, J. A., Chee, E., Morganstein, D., & Lipton, R. (2003). Lost productive time and cost due to common pain conditions in the US workforce. JAMA : The Journal of the American Medical Association, 290(18), 2443-2457

This study is based on data reporting "lost productive time during a 2 week period from a cross-sectional study using survey data from the American Productivity Audit of a random sample of 28902 working adults in the US between August 1, 2001 and July 30, 2002."

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 1734

According to the 2001-02 American Productivity Audit, lost productive time due to arthritis was highest in older age groups; for example less than 1% of women aged 25-29 lost 2 hours or more of productive time due to arthritis, compared to between 2-3% for women aged 45 and over. (p. 2449-50)

Stewart, W. F., Ricci, J. A., Chee, E., Morganstein, D., & Lipton, R. (2003). Lost productive time and cost due to common pain conditions in the US workforce. JAMA : The Journal of the American Medical Association, 290(18), 2443-2456

This study is based on data reporting "lost productive time during a 2 week period from a cross-sectional study using survey data from the American Productivity Audit of a random sample of 28902 working adults in the US between August 1, 2001 and July 30, 2002."

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 1733

According to the 2001-02 American Productivity Audit, lost productive time due to headache was highest in males and females in younger age groups; for example approximately 6.5% of women aged  25-29 lost 2 hours or more of productive time due to headache, compared to less than 3% for women aged 45 and over. The proportion of the workforce with 2 hrs/week or more of headache-related lost productive time was approximately 2 times higher in females than males. (p. 2449-50)

Stewart, W. F., Ricci, J. A., Chee, E., Morganstein, D., & Lipton, R. (2003). Lost productive time and cost due to common pain conditions in the US workforce. JAMA : The Journal of the American Medical Association, 290(18), 2443-2455

This study is based on data reporting "lost productive time during a 2 week period from a cross-sectional study using survey data from the American Productivity Audit of a random sample of 28902 working adults in the US between August 1, 2001 and July 30, 2002."

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 2042

Based on analysis of 2001 BLS data, three age groups (25-34, 35-44, and 45-54) accounted for 78.9% of cases of musculoskeletal disorders [injuries or disorders of the muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, cartilage, and spinal discs] involving days away from work. Workers aged 54 and older accounted for 10.5% of cases. Case rates for the other age groups are: 25.9% (25-34), 31.2% (35-44), and 21.8% (45-54). (fig. 2-39)

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. (2004). Worker health chartbook 2004 (NIOSH Publication No. 2004-146). Cincinnati, OH: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/chartbook/

The Worker Health Chartbook 2004 is a descriptive epidemiologic reference on occupational morbidity and mortality in the United States, based on data collected from various surveys and surveillance programs.

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 2103

In a 2008 study of workers aged 55-65 who had been diagnosed with cancer in 1997-99, the cancer survivors of both genders worked an average of 3-5 hours less per week than a comparison group from the Health and Retirement survey.

Farley Short, P., Vasey, J. J., & Moran, J. R. (2008). Long-term effects of cancer survivorship on the employment of older workers. Health Services Research, 43(1 Pt 1), 193-210.

Primary data for 504 subjects who were 55-65 in 2002 and were working when diagnosed with cancer in 1997-1999, and secondary data for a comparison group of 3,903 similarly aged workers in the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) in 2002. Four telephone interviews were conducted annually with cancer survivors identified from tumor registries at four large hospitals in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Many of the questions were taken from the HRS to facilitate comparisons

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 2115

In a 2008 analysis of data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Mature Women, 53% of African-American women reported good health during the years from midlife (ages 30-44 in 1967) until they reached retirement years (ages 64-78 in 2001), compared to 67% fpr white women.  "A higher percentage of African-American than white women also reported changes in their health status, from good to poor (26 percent vs. 17 percent) during the years of study." (p. 9)

Lee, S., & Shaw, L. (2008). From work to retirement: Tracking changes in women's poverty. Washington, DC: AARP. Retrieved from http://www.aarp.org/research/assistance/lowincome/2008_03_poverty.html

This study examines the extent and possible causes of women's poverty as they move from midlife into their retirement years. The study uses data from the National Longitudinal Survey (NLS) of Mature Women, which is a unique data source that tracked a large number of women from midlife (ages 30-44 in 1967) until they reached retirement years (ages 64-78 in 2001). Respondents were surveyed periodically since 1967, and the survey collected data on a variety of topics including marital status, employment, health, income, and assets throughout a near 35-year period. (p. i)

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 2410

A 2006 analysis of Health and Retirement Survey data showed that "about 7 in 10 adults who were age 51 to 61 in 1992 develop health problems, lose their jobs, or lose spouses to death or divorce during the 10-year period ending in 2002. (p. 2)

Johnson, R. W., Mermin, G. B. T., & Uccello, C. E. (2006). How secure are retirement nest eggs? (An Issue in Brief No. 45). Chestnut Hill, MA: Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. Retrieved from http://crr.bc.edu/images/stories/Briefs/ib_45.pdf

This brief examines different types of negative events that can strike near retirement. It reports the incidence of widowhood, divorce, job layoffs, disability, and various medical conditions over a 10-year period, and estimates their impact on household wealth. Data come from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a nationally representative survey of older Americans conducted by the University of Michigan for the National Institute on Aging. The survey interviewed a large sample of non-institutionalized adults ages 51 to 61 in 1992 and re-interviewed them every other year. The analysis uses data through 2002, the most recent year available.

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 2382

According to the 2008 Retirement Confidence Survey, "among retirees who left the work force earlier than planned, more than half (54 percent) say they did so because of health problems or disability." (p. 4)

Helman, R., VanDerhei, J., & Copeland, C. (2008). The 2008 retirement confidence survey: Americans much more worried about retirement, health costs a big concern (Issue Brief No. 316). Washington, DC: Employee Benefit Research Institute. Retrieved from http://www.ebri.org/pdf/briefspdf/EBRI_IB_04-2008.pdf

These findings are part of the 18th annual Retirement Confidence Survey, a survey that gauges the views and attitudes of working-age and retired Americans regarding retirement, their preparations for retirement, their confidence with regard to various aspects of retirement, and related issues. The survey was conducted in January 2008 through 20-minute telephone interviews with 1,322 individuals (1,057 workers and 265 retirees) age 25 and older in the United States. Random digit dialing was used to obtain a representative cross section of the U.S. population.

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 2379

A 2008 analysis of National Health Interview Survey data shows that in 2000, 21.2% of non-institutionalized men aged 50-54 had an activity limitation, compared to 24.3% of men aged 55-59 and 29.3% of men aged 60-64. (p. 2)

Munnell, A. H., Soto, M., & Golub-Sass, F. (2008). Are older men healthy enough to work? (Issue Brief No. 8-17). Chestnut Hill, MA: Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. Retrieved from http://crr.bc.edu/images/stories/Briefs/ib_8-17.pdf

This brief uses the National Health Interview Survey to estimate trends in disability-free life expectancy for men at age 50.

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 2360

A 2006 analysis of data from the 2003-04 National Health and Nutrition Survey shows that among adults aged 20 to 39 years, 28.5% were obese, while 36.8% of adults aged 40 to 59 years and 31.0% of those aged 60 years or older were obese in 2003-2004. (p. 1549)

Ogden, C. L., Carroll, M. D., Curtin, L. R., McDowell, M. A., Tabak, C. J., & Flegal, K. M. (2006). Prevalence of overweight and obesity in the United States, 1999-2004. JAMA : The Journal of the American Medical Association, 295(13), 1549-1555.

Prevelence estimates of overweight and obesity were calculated using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 2327

In a 2008 report of a survey of over 9000 Austrailian workers aged 45-64 years, 3010 were not in the labour force. Of these, 1373 (45.6%) had retired prematurely because of a chronic health condition, most commonly a back problem (10.4%), or arthritis and related disorders (8.6%).

Schofield, D. J., Shrestha, R. N., Passey, M. E., Earnest, A., & Fletcher, S. L. (2008). Chronic disease and labour force participation among older Australians. The Medical Journal of Australia, 189(8), 447-450.

This study is based on retrospective analysis of cross-sectional data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2003 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers for people aged 45-64 years.

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 2265

According to a 2007 Census Bureau report, for nonworkers 45 years and older, health and retirement were the dominant reasons for not working. The proportion of nonworkers listing either of these reasons ranged from 51 percent for 45- to 54-yearolds, to 94 percent for people 65 years and over. Retirement was the reason given by 86 percent of nonworkers 65 years and over. (p. 5)

Dalirazar, N. (2007). Reasons people do not work: 2004 (Current Population Reports No. P70-111). Washington, DC: U. S. Census Bureau. Retrieved from http://www.census.gov/prod/2007pubs/p70-111.pdf

The population represented (population universe) in the 2004 SIPP is the civilian noninstitutionalized population living in the United States. The SIPP is a longitudinal survey conducted at 4-month intervals. The data in this report were collected from February through May 2004 in the first wave (interview) of the 2004 SIPP.

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 2264

According to a 2007 Census Bureau report, among persons aged 55-64 who were not working in 2004, 32.4% reported chronic illness or disability as the reason for not working, while 42.8% reported that they were retired. Among those 65 and over who were not working, 85.9% reported that they were retired, compared to 7.4% who said the chronic illness or disability was the reason. (table 2, p. 5)

Dalirazar, N. (2007). Reasons people do not work: 2004 (Current Population Reports No. P70-111). Washington, DC: U. S. Census Bureau. Retrieved from http://www.census.gov/prod/2007pubs/p70-111.pdf

The population represented (population universe) in the 2004 SIPP is the civilian noninstitutionalized population living in the United States. The SIPP is a longitudinal survey conducted at 4-month intervals. The data in this report were collected from February through May 2004 in the first wave (interview) of the 2004 SIPP.

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 2160

Based on a 2008 analysis of data from the Health and Retirement Study, male and female wage-and-salary workers are less likely to become self-employed if they describe their health as "fair/poor" as opposed to "good" or "excellent." (Fig. 5, p. 5)




Giandrea, M. D., Cahill, K. E., & Quinn, J. F. (2008). Self employment as a step in the retirement process (Issue Brief No. 15). Chestnut Hill, MA: The Sloan Center on Aging and Work at Boston College. Retrieved from http://agingandwork.bc.edu/documents/IB15_SelfEmployment_Retire.pdf

This 2008 Issue Brief discusses the reasons and benefits supporting the transition from wage-and-salary work to self-employment, specifically for older workers as an alternative to complete retirement. Accompanying the discussion is analysis of statistics on several factors taken from the Health and Retirement Study, such as health status and education level, that affect a worker's decision on whether or not to enter self-employment.

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 2151

Analysis of data from the 2002 National Study of the Changing Workforce shows that "among older workers, the odds of being very satisfied with life are 187.8% higher for those in good or excellent health than for those poor or fair health; 146.5% higher for those living with spouses or partners than for those in other living arrangements; and 105.1% higher for those with extra money to save or invest after monthly expenses than for those without such additional funds." (p. 6)

Johnson, J. K. M., Pitt-Catsouphes, M., Besen, E., Smyer, M., & Matz-Costa, C. (2008). Quality of employment and life-satisfaction: A relationship that matters for older workers (Issue Brief No. 13). Chestnut Hill, MA: Boston College Center on Aging & Work/Workplace Flexibility. Retrieved from http://agingandwork.bc.edu/documents/IB13_LifeSatisfaction.pdf

Drawing on data from various sources, this issue brief offers insights about how employment experiences affect the life satisfaction of older workers.

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 2142

According to a 2007 report, "in 2001, 82% of people between the ages of 50-64 reported being in good to excellent health, with 42% being in very good or excellent health. Two-thirds (68%) of those age 65-79 assessed their health as good or excellent." (Fig. 2, p. 2)




Johnson, J. K. M., Pitt-Catsouphes, M., Besen, E., Smyer, M., & Matz-Costa, C. (2008). Quality of employment and life-satisfaction: A relationship that matters for older workers (Issue Brief No. 13). Chestnut Hill, MA: Boston College Center on Aging & Work/Workplace Flexibility. Retrieved from http://agingandwork.bc.edu/documents/IB13_LifeSatisfaction.pdf

Drawing on data from various sources, this issue brief offers insights about how employment experiences affect the life satisfaction of older workers.

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 1732

Analysis of the American Productivity Audit (2001-02) indicates that "thirteen percent of the total workforce experienced a loss in productive time during a 2 week period due to a common pain condition. Headache was the most common (5.4%) pain condition resulting in lost productive time. It was followed by back pain (3.2%), arthritis pain (2%), and other musculoskeletal pain (2%)...No difference in the proportion of the workforce losing 2 hours per week of productivity due to pain [all conditions combined] was observed by age." (p. 2443, 2447)

Stewart, W. F., Ricci, J. A., Chee, E., Morganstein, D., & Lipton, R. (2003). Lost productive time and cost due to common pain conditions in the US workforce. JAMA : The Journal of the American Medical Association, 290(18), 2443-2454

This study is based on data reporting "lost productive time during a 2 week period from a cross-sectional study using survey data from the American Productivity Audit of a random sample of 28902 working adults in the US between August 1, 2001 and July 30, 2002."

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 1731

In a 2002 study of 135,000 current and retired employees of a large company, individuals with low risk factors (e.g. absence of obesity, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, high blood pressure) self-reported a chronic disease in 3% of the under 45 bracket, and 10.5% from age 45-64. In the high risk bracket (having four or more risk factors), 18.6% of those below age 45 self-reported a chronic disease, compared to 61% between 45-64. (Table III, p. 254)

Musich, S., McDonald, T., & Hirschland, D. (2002). Excess healthcare costs associated with excess health risks in diseased and non-diseased health risk appraisal participants. Disease Management and Health Outcomes, 10(4), 251-258.

135,251 current and retired employees of General Motors Corporation who had completed a Health Risk Appraisal were evaluated. Participants were continuously enrolled in traditional or PPO medical plans from 1996 to 1999.

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 1729

For workers over the age of 40, the top four STD [short-term disability] impairments with the longest durations of time away from work are cancer and mental health disorders, e.g. depression (between 75-80 days) and musculoskeletal and circulatory disorders (between 70-75 days), according to analysis of the 2002-04 UnumProvident Disability Database. (Fig. 2.9, p. 7)

UnumProvident Company. (2005). Health and productivity in the aging American workforce: Realities and opportunities. Chattanooga, TN: UnumProvident Company.

Data for this publication was generated by using UnumProvident's disability database.

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 1706

According to the 2005 National Health Interview Survey, 72.0% of adults 18 to 44 years old, 56.4% of adults ages 45 to 64, and 42.3% of adults ages 65 to 74 reported being in 'excellent' or 'very good' health. (Table 1, p. 9)

Adams, P. F., Dey, A. N., & Vickerie, J. L. (2007). Summary health statistics for the U.S. population: National health interview survey, 2005. Vital and health statistics.Series 10, Data from the National Health Survey(233), 1-104.

NHIS is a household, multistage probability sample survey conducted annually by interviewers of the U.S. Census Bureau for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics. In 2005, household interviews were completed for 98,649 persons living in 38,509 households, reflecting a household response rate of 86.5%. This paper reflects the survey's findings.

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 1672

Among the organzations responding to a 2007 national survey, the return on investment (ROI) is measured on the following HR priorities: initiatives to increase retention (52.6%), training initiatives (44.1%), diversity initiatives (33.8%), wellness initiatives (43.4%) and initiatives to improve recruitment (43.5%). (p. 18)

Pitt-Catsouphes, M., Smyer, M. A., Matz-Costa, C., & Kane, K. (2007). The national study report: Phase II of the national study of business strategy and workforce development (Research Highlight No. 04). Chestnut Hill, MA: The Center on Aging & Work/Workplace Flexibility. Retrieved August 22, 2007 from http://agingandwork.bc.edu/documents/RH04_NationalStudy_03-07_004.pdf

The National Study of Business Strategy and Workforce Development is a 2007 study carried out by The Center on Aging & Work/Workplace Flexibility at Boston College. Human resource professionals at 578 non-governmental organizations with 50 or more employees completed a survey about their organization's response to the aging workforce. At these organizations, approximately three-fourths of the employees were full-time, almost half were women and one-third were members of a racial/ethnic minority group.

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 1557

A majority of older Americans, 65 and over, report that they have "excellent" health, and its is widely expected that tomorrow's older Americans will be healthier in comparison to previous generations.




Pitt-Catsouphes, M., & Smyer, M. A. (2006). How old are today's older workers? (Issue Brief No. 04). Chestnut Hill, MA: Boston College Center on Aging & Work/Workplace Flexibility. Retrieved October 30, 2007 from http://agingandwork.bc.edu/documents/IB04_HowOldAreWrkrs.pdf



"This Issue Brief presents experts’ perspectives of older workers. Several members of the Center’s Research Advisory Committee have shared their expertise on aging and work."

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 981

25 percent of people retiring between ages 50 and 58 cited poor health as an important reason for their retirement decisions, compared with 35 percent of those retiring between ages 59 to 61. (p.35, Table 12)

Haider, S., & Loughran, D. (2001). Elderly labor supply: Work or play? RAND working paper series, DRU-2582.

"In this paper, we directly examine three questions about elderly labor force participation as a first step in the beginning to understand what drives labor supply in this population: Who among the elderly works, what are their job characteristics, and which elderly exit the labor force? We answer these questions relying on three data sets, the annual March demographic supplements to the Current Population Survey (CPS), the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), and the Asset and Health Dynamics Among the Oldest Old (AHEAD)."

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 851

"Among all 66-70 year-olds surveyed, 49% characterize their health as excellent or very good. Only 20% said their health was fair or poor. Among 60-65 year olds, just over half (52%) describe their health as excellent or very good while 15% said it was fair or poor. For 55-59 year-olds, those numbers were 54% and 16% respectively." (p.17)

MetLife Mature Market Institute. (2006, April). Living longer, working longer: The changing landscape of the aging workforce- a MetLife Study. New York, NY: MetLife Mature Market Institute, DeLong, D., & Zogby International.  Retrieved August 10, 2006, from http://www.metlife.com/WPSAssets/93703586101144176243V1FLivingLonger.pdf

"This study describes the decisions that older workers are actually making about work and retirement. It reports on their experiences more than their expectations of the journey into retirement, assuming that life stage is not defined by some date, but is rather an ongoing process… It consisted of an interactive online survey conducted by Zogby with a panel of 2,719 respondents. To qualify for the study, participants had to be between the ages of 55-70. Slight weights were added to region, race and gender to more accurately reflect the population of U.S. adults. A primary focus of the 50-question survey was to better understand the experiences and behaviors of the aging workforce, so the survey included many questions asked only of people who were still working or seeking work, either full- or part-time.”

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 799

According to the 2003 Eldercare Survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), 29% of HR professionals reported their organization has seen "stress-related health problems" due to eldercare issues. (Table 3, p.6)

Society for Human Resource Management. (2003, December). 2003 Eldercare Survey. Alexandria, VA: Burke, E. M.

“In June 2003, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) conducted a survey on eldercare. The impact of eldercare issues on the workforce is an area of growing concern for employers and HR professionals. As more people are dealing with eldercare issues, these issues have begun to impact the workplace and are expected to increase in the years to come. The survey explored current eldercare policies and benefits, the effect of eldercare issues on workers, as well as definitions of an elder, and views of eldercare as an employer issue. The following report provides an analysis of the results. An e-mail with the survey’s Web address was sent to 2,000 randomly selected SHRM members. Of these, 1,725 were successfully delivered to respondents, and 289 HR professionals responded, yielding a response rate of 17%. The report analyzes the results of the survey. The results are analyzed first by overall responses and then by industry and organization size... “

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 704

Using data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) to examine the experiences of retirees who were aged 51 to 61 in 1992 and therefore who were 61 to 71 in 2002, Cahill and his colleagues found, “men and women who left their career jobs and were in excellent or very good health took on bridge jobs” in 55 (54.5% as listed on Table 6, p.27) to 60 percent (59.7% as listed on Table 6, p.27) of cases. “Those who departed with self-assessed fair or poor health made the transition to bridge jobs less than 40 percent of the time.” (p.13)




Cahill, E. K., Giandrea, D. M., & Quinn, F. J. (2005, September 29). Are traditional retirements a thing of the past? New evidence on retirement patterns and bridge jobs. Working paper. Retrieved July 18, 2006, from http://ideas.repec.org/p/boc/bocoec/626.html

“This paper investigates whether permanent, one-time retirements are coming to an end just as the trend towards earlier and earlier retirements did nearly 20 years ago. We explore how common bridge jobs are among today’s retirees, and how uncommon traditional retirements have become. Design & Methods: Using data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), we explore the work histories and retirement patterns of a cohort of retirees aged 51 to 61 in 1992 over a ten-year time period in both a cross-sectional and longitudinal context. Bridge job determinants are examined using bivariate comparisons and a multinomial logistic regression model of the bridge job decision.”

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 464

5.9% of persons age 50-61 in the top 25% of income earners were in poor or fair health in 1997.

9.5% of persons age 62-74 in the top 25% of income earners were in poor or fair health in 1997.

20.5% of persons age 75 and above in the top 25% of income earners were in poor or fair health in 1997.

AARP. (2002, May). Beyond 50: summary tables and charts. Research report. (Table: Core indicators by age & income data). Washington, DC: Gist, J., Figueiredo, C., & Ng-Baumhackl, M. Retrieved July 15, 2005, from http://www.aarp.org/research/reference/statistics/aresearch-import-298.html

"Through its analysis of both the status quo and developing trends, Beyond 50: A Report to the Nation on Economic Security provides readers with an in-depth look at the well-being of more than one-quarter of Americans - the 76 million people age 50 and older in 2000."

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 461

45.7% of persons age 50-61 in the bottom 25% of income earners were in poor or fair health in 1997.

39.4% of persons age 62-74 in the bottom 25% of income earners were in poor or fair health in 1997.

37.2% of persons age 75 and above in the bottom 25% of income earners were in poor or fair health in 1997.

AARP. (2002, May). Beyond 50: summary tables and charts. Research report. (Table: Core indicators by age & income data). Washington, DC: Gist, J., Figueiredo, C., & Ng-Baumhackl, M. Retrieved July 15, 2005, from http://www.aarp.org/research/reference/statistics/aresearch-import-298.html

"Through its analysis of both the status quo and developing trends, Beyond 50: A Report to the Nation on Economic Security provides readers with an in-depth look at the well-being of more than one-quarter of Americans - the 76 million people age 50 and older in 2000."

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 1707

According to the 2005 National Health Interview Survey, 6.0% of adults ages 18 to 44 reported that they must limit their participation in "usual activities" -- such as work, school, and play -- for health reasons. The proportion of adults who have to limit their activities for health reasons was higher for older age groups, with 15.7% of adults ages 45 to 64 and 25.8% of adults ages 65 to 74 years reporting limitations. (Table 4, p. 15)

Adams, P. F., Dey, A. N., & Vickerie, J. L. (2007). Summary health statistics for the U.S. population: National health interview survey, 2005. Vital and health statistics.Series 10, Data from the National Health Survey(233), 1-104.

NHIS is a household, multistage probability sample survey conducted annually by interviewers of the U.S. Census Bureau for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics. In 2005, household interviews were completed for 98,649 persons living in 38,509 households, reflecting a household response rate of 86.5%. This paper reflects the survey's findings.

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 1708

According to the 2005 National Health Interview Survey, 2.9% of repondents 18-44 years old reported themselves as "unable to work" due to a physical, mental or emotional problem. That figure was 8.9% for those 45-64 years old and 10.9% for those 65-69 years old. About 2.0% of respondents reported themselves as "limited in work" due to a physical, mental or emotional problem, compared to 4.4% of those 45-64 years old and 8.2% of those 65-69 years old. (Table 6, p. 21)




Adams, P. F., Dey, A. N., & Vickerie, J. L. (2007). Summary health statistics for the U.S. population: National health interview survey, 2005. Vital and health statistics.Series 10, Data from the National Health Survey(233), 1-104.

NHIS is a household, multistage probability sample survey conducted annually by interviewers of the U.S. Census Bureau for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics. In 2005, household interviews were completed for 98,649 persons living in 38,509 households, reflecting a household response rate of 86.5%. This paper reflects the survey's findings.

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 1709

According to the 2005 National Health Interview Survey, 95.2% of respondents aged 18-44 years old reported that they were "not limited in work" because of physical, mental or emotional problems. Similarly, no limitations in work were reported by 86.8% of those aged 45-64 and 80.9% of those aged 65-69 years old. (Table 6, p. 21)

Adams, P. F., Dey, A. N., & Vickerie, J. L. (2007). Summary health statistics for the U.S. population: National health interview survey, 2005. Vital and health statistics.Series 10, Data from the National Health Survey(233), 1-104.

NHIS is a household, multistage probability sample survey conducted annually by interviewers of the U.S. Census Bureau for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics. In 2005, household interviews were completed for 98,649 persons living in 38,509 households, reflecting a household response rate of 86.5%. This paper reflects the survey's findings.

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 1728

Based on analysis of the UnumProvident Disability Database, 2002-2004, "The primary drivers of long term impairments and work disruptions for the older worker are musculoskeletal disorders (accident/arthritis/back problems - 25%), cancer (17%), cardiovascular/circulator disorders (8%), and mental/nervous problems (7%). (Fig. 2.5, p. 5)

UnumProvident Company. (2005). Health and productivity in the aging American workforce: Realities and opportunities. Chattanooga, TN: UnumProvident Company.

Data for this publication was generated by using UnumProvident's disability database.

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 1725

Analysis of the UnumProvident Disability Database shows that "workers over the age of 40 have lower incidence of work injuries, short term disability and unscheduled absences than the employee under the age of 40... Workers over the age of 40 experience greater time off from work when an injury or illness occurs. Seventy-six percent of UnumProvident's long term disability cases are over the age of 40." (p. 3)

UnumProvident Company. (2005). Health and productivity in the aging American workforce: Realities and opportunities. Chattanooga, TN: UnumProvident Company.

Data for this publication was generated by using UnumProvident's disability database.

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 1723

Based on analysis of the 2002-04 UnumProvident Disability Database, musculoskeletal injuries are the most prevalent cause of short-term disabilities for workers over the age of 40, accounting for almost 40% of STD claims in manufacturing and healthcare, and approximately 30% in transportation, education and banking. (Fig. 2.7, p. 6)

UnumProvident Company. (2005). Health and productivity in the aging American workforce: Realities and opportunities. Chattanooga, TN: UnumProvident Company.

Data for this publication was generated by using UnumProvident's disability database.

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 1722

Based on analysis of the 2002-04 UnumProvident Disability Database, "The over-40 worker with musculoskeletal injury or impairment is reported to stay off work 12 days longer, on average, than a younger worker with a similar impairment." (p. 7)

UnumProvident Company. (2005). Health and productivity in the aging American workforce: Realities and opportunities. Chattanooga, TN: UnumProvident Company.

Data for this publication was generated by using UnumProvident's disability database.

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 1721

Based on analysis of the 2002-04 UnumProvident Disability Database, "workers over the age of 40 account for 50% of all received short-term disability (STD) claims, and up to 75% of all received long-term disability (LTD) claims. Thirty-four percent of LTD claims come from workers in the 50-59 age group. Only 12% of LTD claims are being generated by workers aged 60 and over." (Fig. 2.3, p. 5)

UnumProvident Company. (2005). Health and productivity in the aging American workforce: Realities and opportunities. Chattanooga, TN: UnumProvident Company.

"Data for this publication was generated by using UnumProvident's disability database."

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 1719

According to the 2001-02 American Productivity Audit, "50-65 year olds reported only two-thirds of the lost productive time (LPT*) [due to health reasons] compared with those less than 30 years of age." (p. 1237)

*The components of LPT are absence time for personal health reasons, reduced performance time while at work for personal health reasons, and absence time for family health reasons.

Stewart, W. F., Ricci, J. A., Chee, E., & Morganstein, D. (2003). Lost productive work time costs from health conditions in the United States: Results from the American productivity audit. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 45(12), 1234-1246.

This 2001-02 study used telephone interviews to complete the American Productivity Audit (APA) to gain data on the impact of health conditions on worker productivity in terms of lost productive time (LPT). Over 28,000 surveys were completed over a one-year span and the data analyzed to determine average lost productive time for different variable groups, such as age group, gender, region of residence, respondent work status in last week for pay/profit, and number of hours missed from work in the last week by respondent.

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 1716

Among older workers in a 2004 study on work limitations due to illness, arthritis was reported by 28% of workers aged 50-54, 34% of those aged 55-59, and 43% of those aged 60-64. Approximately half of those in each age group reported receiving medical care for arthritis. Those with arthritis but not receiving care or medication had significantly higher odds of reporting a work limitation. (p. 136)

Burton, W. N., Chen, C. Y., Schultz, A. B., Conti, D. J., Pransky, G., & Edington, D. W. (2006). Worker productivity loss associated with arthritis. Disease Management : DM, 9(3), 131-143.

This study at a major financial services corporation sought to investigate the association of arthritis with on-the-job productivity, also termed "presenteeism." Of the 16,651 qualified respondents between the ages of 16-64 (average 38.9) to a modified 2002 Work Limitations Questionnaire, 14.8% reported having arthritis. Within this subgroup, the study analyzed data to determine how arthritis affects productivity across 4 domains: physical, time, mental, & output.

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 1715

In a 2002 study of worker productivity, 14.8% of workers [all ages] reported that a doctor has said they have arthritis. 5.9% of the respondants reported that they are under medical care for or taking medication for arthritis. On average, employees with arthritis were older (46.2 vs. 37.6) than those without arthritis. (p.134) For employees between the ages of 60-64, the prevelence of arthritis exceeds 40% compared to less than 10% for employees under 40. (p. 135)

Burton, W. N., Chen, C. Y., Schultz, A. B., Conti, D. J., Pransky, G., & Edington, D. W. (2006). Worker productivity loss associated with arthritis. Disease Management : DM, 9(3), 131-143.

This study at a major financial services corporation sought to investigate the association of arthritis with on-the-job productivity, also termed "presenteeism." Of the 16,651 qualified respondents between the ages of 16-64 (average 38.9) to a modified 2002 Work Limitations Questionnaire, 14.8% reported having arthritis. Within this subgroup, the study analyzed data to determine how arthritis affects productivity across 4 domains: physical, time, mental, & output.

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 1714

Among all workers [all ages combined] in a 2004 study who reported having at least one medical condition for which they are being treated by a physician, 25.4% reported experiencing limitations in time management due to their health; 21.7% reported impairment in physical work activities due to their health, 40.6% reported health-related limitations in mental/interpersonal activities, and 31.9% reported health-related limitations in their overall output. (p. S40)

Burton, W. N., Pransky, G., Conti, D. J., Chen, C. Y., & Edington, D. W. (2004). The association of medical conditions and presenteeism. Journal of Occupational and Environmental medicine / American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 46(6 Suppl), S38-45.

This study utilized a Work Limitations Questionnaire completed by 16,651 employees between the ages of 16-64 (average 38.9) of a large financial services firm to examine which chronic illnesses have the largest effect on increased presenteeism (productivity is lost while the employee is still at work but impaired due to health problems).

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 1713

In a 2004 study of employees in a large company, almost half (47%) of all respondents [all ages combined] indicated having at least one health condition for which they were currently being treated by a physician and/or currently taking medication. More than one out of five (22.5%) reported having at least two such conditions. (Table 1, p. S40)

Burton, W. N., Pransky, G., Conti, D. J., Chen, C. Y., & Edington, D. W. (2004). The association of medical conditions and presenteeism. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine / American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 46(6 Suppl), S38-45.

This study utilized a Work Limitations Questionnaire completed by 16,651 employees between the ages of 16-64 (average 38.9) of a large financial services firm to examine which chronic illnesses have the largest effect on increased presenteeism (productivity is lost while the employee is still at work but impaired due to health problems).

Health: Health Status

Statistic # 302

In 2000, 41.9% of persons age 65 and above had one or more sensory, physical, mental, self-care or go-outside-home disabilities.

U.S. Census Bureau. (2005). U.S. Census Bureau, statistical abstract of the United States: 2004-2005. Population. (Section 1, Table 32, p. 35). Washington, DC: U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 15, 2005, from http://www.census.gov/prod/www/statistical-abstract-2001_2005.html

"This section presents statistics on the growth, distribution, and characteristics of the U.S. population. The principal source of these data is the U.S. Census Bureau, which conducts a decennial census of population, a monthly population survey, a program of population estimates and projections, and a number of other periodic surveys relating to population characteristics."