Racial disparities in family patterns and wealth also underlie racial disparities in

rates of work disability. Once either measures of family circumstances (Model 6) or

economic well being (Model 7) are controlled for, African American and White women

appear to have similar rates of work disability. Importantly, measures of work, family,

and economic circumstances impact rates of work disability. Women with more years of

employment throughout the life course are less likely to become work disabled.

Compared to married women with a spouse outside the labor force, married women with

a spouse in the labor force have a lower risk of becoming work disabled. Also, self-

employment, older age, and higher values of household income, non-housing assets and

net value of primary residence are associated with lower risks of work disability.

Diagnostic measures do not indicate severe multicollinearity in disability models.