Workforce participation by persons with disabilities: The National Health Interview Survey Disability Supplement, 1994 to 1995

Craig Zwerling, Paul S. Whitten, Nancy L. Sprince, Charles S. Davis, Robert B. Wallace, Peter D. Blanck, Steven G. Heeringa

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

51 Scopus citations

Abstract

Using the National Health Interview Survey Disability Supplement of 1994 to 1995, we examined the factors associated with employment among Americans with disabilities. Persons with disabilities who were more educated were more likely to be working. Married men were more likely to work than unmarried men (odds ratio [OR], 1.58). Blacks were less likely to work than whites (OR, 0.56). Persons with disabilities related to cardiovascular disease (OR, 0.23), musculoskeletal disease (OR, 0.37), and respiratory disease (OR, 0.23) were less likely to work than other Americans with disabilities. Among persons with psychiatric disorders, there was considerable variety in the propensity to work. Persons with schizophrenia (OR, 0.24) and paranoid delusional disorder (OR, 0.34) were markedly less likely to work; persons with bipolar disorder (OR, 0.60) and major depression (OR, 0.69) were also less likely to work. Lastly, persons with self-reported alcohol abuse (OR, 1.30) were more likely to work, and persons with self-reported drug abuse (OR, 0.93) were not less likely to work, than others in our study population of Americans with disabilities.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)358-364
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Volume44
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2002
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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