Getting in and out of bed may be second nature, but for a growing number of Americans it is becoming more difficult.
A recent study by the Rand Corp. and the University of Michigan shows a rising proportion of people aged 50 to 64 with mobility problems. Area physicians say they’re seeing more midlife patients with these problems now than ever before.
“It seems to be a trend in the last five years or so,” said Dr. Richard Brackett, a rheumatologist at Brackett Rheumatology. “Younger people are hurting — 40-year-olds complaining like they were 60-year-olds.”
The study analyzed data from the 1997 to 2007 National Health Interview Survey, which annually asks thousands of Americans about a broad range of health issues.
People age 50 to 64 most often attributed their lack of mobility to back or neck problems, diabetes, depression, anxiety and arthritis, according to Rand.