Risky Business: How a Disability Can Cost You Your Health and Your Income

Risky Business: How a disability can cost you your health and your income. As a family physician, suffering from a serious injury or illness can take a toll on your career and your financial well-being. 1 in 4 of today's 20 year olds will become disabled before they retire. The average long-term individual disability claim can last up to 31.6 months'. Risk factors that increase your chance of disability: 48% of family physicians confess to being overweight or obese? Excess Body Weight {2% of physicians are smokers Tobacco Use Alcohol Consumption or Substance Abuse High Risk Activities or Behaviors Chronic Conditions Factors that lower your risk of disability: {89% of family physicians report being in good to excellent health? Healthy Diet and Sleep Habits 74% of family physicians exercise at least twice a week? Regular Exercise 38% of female physicians say they don't drink? 31% of male physicians say they don't drink? Moderate to No Alcohol Consumption Maintaining a Healthy Stress Level Avoidance of High Risk Behaviors Including Substance Abuse Treatment for Health Conditions Common workplace injuries that family physicians may face are a result of": Slip and Falls on Flat Surfaces Struck By Moving or Flying Objects Musculoskeletal Injuries The body parts that are most affected by disabilities5: 13% 2% SHOULDER NECK 4% 36% ARM BACK 3% WRIST 2% HAND 8% MULTIPLE PARTS 12% 2% KNEE FOOT 9% 9% ANKLE OTHER Common types of disabilities: Spine or Joint Disorders Arthritis Back Pain Cancer Fibromyositis Diabetes Heart Attack The cost of work-related disabilities: 23,000 8,395,000 $250 billion on-the-job injuries in the United States every day in costs for workers, their families and our on-the-job injuries annually economy every year What you stand to lose from a serious illness or injury: Family physicians earn an average of $176,000 57% of family physicians spend 30-40 hours a week 25% seeing patients? of family physicians have 76-99 patients per week 21% of family physicians see 100-124 patients per week 3-7 32% of your staff members could lose their job (if you work in a single physician practice) of family physicians spend an average of 13-16 minutes with each of their patients If you were no longer able to treat your patients or earn a steady income, how would you support your family? Protect your career and your hard-earned income with individual disability income insurance offered by the AAFP Insurance Program. AMERICAN ACADEMY OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS INSURANCE PROGRAM for your financial health Sources: [1] http://www.disabilitycanhappen.org/chances_disability/disability_stats.asp [2] http://www.medscape.com/features/slideshow/lifestyle/2014/family-medicine [3] http://www.medscape.com/features/slideshow/lifestyle/2013/public [4] http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Topics/AtoZ/InjuryFS/default.asp?utm_source=Twitter [5] http://www.bls.gov/news.rele ase/pdf/osh2.pdf [6] http://www.epi.org/publication/workplace-injuries-illnesses-cost-250-billion/ [7] http://www.medscape.com/features/slideshow/compensation/2014/familymedicine [8] http://www.physicianspractice.com/blog/medical-practice-staffing-its-quality-not-quantity-pays