Clinical pathways to disability
By: Mary Beth Landrum, Kate A. Stewart, David M. Cutler.
Contributors: Stewart, Kate A.; Cutler, David M.; National Bureau of Economic Research.
Series: NBER working paper series -- working paper 13304.; Working paper series (National Bureau of Economic Research) -- working paper no. 13304.
Publisher: National Bureau of Economic Research
Published: 2007
Place of publication: Cambridge, MA
Language: eng
Number of pages: 51
Subjects: People with disabilities -- Mathematical models
Description: This paper examines the pathways by which individuals transition from healthy to disabled. Because of the high prevalence and costs associated with disability, understanding these pathways is critical to developing interventions to prevent or minimize disability. We compare two estimates of disabling conditions: those observed in medical claims and conditions indicated by the disabled individual. A small number of conditions explain about half of incident disability: arthritis, infectious disease, dementia, heart failure, diabetes, and stroke. These conditions show up in medical claims and self reports. A large number of elderly also attribute disability to old age and various symptoms. Because so many of the most disabling conditions do not have clear medical treatments, the outlook for major reductions in disability might be limited.
Notes: "August 2007."

Includes bibliographical references.

Also available in PDF from the NBER world wide web site (www.nber.org).