impaiermenti

Impairment, in medical and related fields, refers to a loss or abnormality of body structure or function. It is typically distinguished from disability, which describes a limitation in performing tasks or participating in activities, and from handicap, a broader social or environmental limitation. The World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) frames impairment as a problem in bodily functions or structures that may contribute to activity limitations and participation restrictions. Impairments can affect physical, sensory, cognitive, or mental functions and may be temporary or permanent, reversible with treatment, or enduring despite intervention.

Causes of impairment include injury, disease, chronic conditions, aging, and congenital disorders. Assessment usually involves clinical examination and, when relevant, objective tests to quantify the extent of the impairment. Management aims to reduce its impact through medical treatment, rehabilitation, assistive devices, and environmental or social accommodations. In legal and social contexts, the presence and degree of impairment can influence eligibility for disability benefits and access to services or accommodations. Beyond health care, the term impairment also appears in finance and accounting, where impairment denotes a reduction in the recoverable amount of an asset, recognized as an impairment loss when the asset’s carrying value exceeds its recoverable amount. Overall, impairment is a broad concept used to describe deviations from normal function, with implications for health, daily living, and economic decisions.