The prevalence of functional limitations in the US workforce

Hailey Clark, Bastian Ravesteijn, Kathleen J. Mullen and Nicole Maestas ()
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Hailey Clark: a Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School , Boston , MA 02115
Bastian Ravesteijn: b Erasmus School of Economics, Erasmus University Rotterdam , Rotterdam 3062 PA , Netherlands
Kathleen J. Mullen: e National Bureau of Economic Research , Cambridge , MA 02138
Nicole Maestas: e National Bureau of Economic Research , Cambridge , MA 02138

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2025, vol. 122, issue 23, e2413663122

Abstract:

This research paper investigates the prevalence of functional limitations among employed adults in the United States and the association between these limitations and medical conditions. The authors administered a survey adapted from the Dutch Functional Abilities List to a nationally representative sample of US adults ages 22 and older, finding that nearly three-quarters of working adults report at least one functional limitation, with an average of nearly six functional limitations per working adult. The most common limitations were in upper body strength and torso range of motion, and with respect to the ambient environment. The study also found that mental illness, arthritis, and substance use disorder are associated with the greatest number of functional limitations in working adults. The findings have implications for economic performance, workforce planning, and social policies to support displaced and vulnerable workers with significant functional limitations. Identifying the occupations and industries with large numbers of workers with functional limitations is critical to addressing short-term labor supply disruptions (e.g., public health crises) and preparing for longer-term workforce needs (e.g., long-term care workers for an aging population).

Keywords: functional limitations; medical conditions; work capacity; workforce (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:nas:journl:v:122:y:2025:p:e2413663122

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