Chronic health conditions have a tremendous impact on work productivity. Nine million Canadians about one in three youth and adults ages 12 and up report that they have been diagnosed by a health care professional as having at least one of seven high-prevalence, high-impact chronic health conditions: 
- Arthritis
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Heart disease, high blood pressure
- Mood disorders
More than one-third of people with one chronic health condition report moderate or severe disability (36%) and half of those with two or more conditions report moderate or severe disability (51%). Chronic health conditions can have profound effects on people’s sense of well-being and their ability to continue their everyday activities at home, work and play.
To a great extent, many chronic health conditions are rooted in the way we live. A handful of avoidable risk factors can make important changes to ones quality of life at work and at home, such as:
- Physical inactivity
- Poor eating habits
- Being overweight
- Smoking
- Poor sleep habits
- Poor coping skills
To make a difference we need to think about disability prevention from a broader perspective – what can be done at workplaces to improve public and population health, that in turn improve workplace health and productivity.
Musculoskeletal Disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders, or MSDs are the most prevalent chronic health conditions in Canada and a leading cause of disability and use of health care resources. Musculoskeletal disorders include a broad range of disorders that affect the bones, joints and connective tissue. These include arthritis and related conditions, back pain and spinal disorders, other bone and joint conditions and trauma (fractures, dislocations and sprains and strains).
Every year, almost one quarter of the population (22%) see a doctor because of musculoskeletal disorders. It is estimated that the direct and indirect costs of the management of arthritis alone is over $23 billion a year in Canada, with the majority of costs being associated with osteoarthritis and back pain. People with musculoskeletal disorders may experience a reduction in their activities of daily living or function and without proper management can lead to a significant reduction in quality of life and reduced work productivity.
Resources
Mental Health in the Workplace - Webinar explores mental health issues at work, and training managers communication skills and the importance of mentally healthy workplaces.
Mental Health Works - Initiative by Canadian Mental Health Association that focuses on mental health in the workplace.
Back at Work - This WorkSafeBC site provides information to help you deal with back pain and how to return to work.
Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders - Sponsored by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, this website provides academic research resources on ergonomics and musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace.
Active Living at Work - Public Health Agency of Canada provides healthy workplace case studies, tools and information to organizations.