The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that 13.4% of Americans are disabled. To arrive at this number, the bureau used a definition that included any impairment affecting hearing, vision, cognition, movement, self-care, and independent living.
There are many ways to identify the top 10 disabilities, including by sheer numbers, severity, and prognosis. Moreover, the incidence rate of disabilities varies by age. Many of the disabilities that commonly affect older people are rare among children or young adults.
When these metrics are carefully considered, the following 10 disabilities emerge as the most significant.
1. Orthopedic Diseases
Diseases that affect the musculoskeletal system are the most common diagnosis for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. While these diseases can strike at any age, they afflict older people in larger numbers.
These diseases include:
- Arthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Degenerative disc disease
These diseases do not include musculoskeletal disabilities acquired due to trauma.
2. Orthopedic Injuries
Orthopedic injuries include any injury that affects the bones or soft tissues of the musculoskeletal system. They differ from diseases because they result from trauma, such as the impact of a car accident.
Examples include the following:
- Bone fractures
- Ligament sprains
- Muscle or tendon strains
These injuries can cause pain, weakness, and instability. Importantly, orthopedic injuries like back injuries are a leading cause of missed work days, resulting in significant economic losses.
3. Cognitive Disabilities
Cognitive disabilities affect a person’s ability to think or remember. They can result from brain injuries or congenital conditions, and they range from mild to disabling.
For example, you might get a mild concussion from a slip and fall accident. Symptoms like pain, confusion, and dizziness may prevent you from working or caring for yourself for a few weeks. However, these symptoms will eventually clear up.
In contrast, a severe injury that causes permanent brain damage might require long-term care and therapy. It could even prevent you from living independently.
4. Mental Illness
Mental illness can result from many causes, including chemical imbalances and damage to the brain. These illnesses affect cognition and behavior. While some are treatable with medication and therapy, they can interfere with your ability to care for yourself, work, or live independently.
5. Cancer
Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the U.S. It is also the basis for hundreds of thousands of SSDI claims because of the disabling effects of the disease and the treatments required.
6, Heart Disease
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. It can also disable patients by interfering with their ability to care for themselves and live independently. Moreover, some cardiovascular diseases interfere with mobility by affecting the patient’s strength and stamina.
7. Substance Use Disorder
Substance use disorder is disabling. However, many disagree about whether it should legally be considered a disability. Research suggests that this disorder is frequently the result of a genetic predisposition to addiction combined with trauma that pushes the patient to self-medicate. For example, someone might use alcohol to cope with PTSD symptoms after an accident.
8. Endocrine Diseases
Your endocrine system controls your hormones. A disruption to your hormones can affect your metabolism and reproductive system. Endocrine diseases can result from exposure to toxins. For example, some pesticides increase your risk of cancer by disrupting your endocrine system.
9. Neurological Diseases and Injuries
Neurological diseases and injuries affect the spinal cord, brain, and peripheral nerves. They often cause permanent disabilities because nerves do not regenerate. Paralysis from a serious truck accident is one example of a neurological injury.
10. Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is common, with about 15% of U.S. adults reporting hearing difficulties. While many people suffer hearing loss due to age, it can also result from traumatic accidents or from working without adequate hearing protection.
Common Disabilities and Their Effects
The most common disabilities include both congenital and acquired conditions. Regardless of its cause, a disability can interfere with your life by preventing you from performing everyday activities or earning a living.
Contact the Kennesaw personal injury lawyers from Starks Byron, P.C. for Help Today
For more information, don’t hesitate to contact our team at Starks Byron, P.C. to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Kennesaw, GA today.
We proudly serve Cobb County and its surrounding areas:
Starks Byron, P.C.
1275 Shiloh Rd NW Ste 2710,
Kennesaw, GA 30144
(404) 795 5115
