New Report Shows Arthritis Affects More Australians than Other Health Priorities

A New report by Arthritis and Osteoporosis Victoria shows musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions including arthritis affects more Australians than other National Health Priority Area including heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

The research, based on analysis by Deliotte Access Economics and available in A Problem Worth Solving found arthritis and other MSK conditions cost the country $55.1 billion. It indicates that 6.1 million people, more than a quarter of the population, live with MSK conditions and 58 per cent of those affected by these conditions are aged between 25 and 64. The cost of lost productivity in Australia was $7.4 billion.

“Chronic musculoskeletal pain is Australia’s silent epidemic,” Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) President Marcus Dripps said. “Musculoskeletal health is often overlooked on the public health agenda because people are not dying directly from these conditions, but the impact is pervasive. “Musculoskeletal conditions are the most common cause of severe long term pain and physical disability,  and as this report shows, this is costing us billions.”

The report highlighted three crucial areas of intervention: direct health costs; productivity costs; and linkages with pain, disability and other chronic diseases (such as cardiovascular, diabetes and mental health problems).

Arthritis and Osteoporosis Victoria CEO Linda Martin said the reality is that people with these conditions often suffer shocking and persistent pain which impacts their ability to work and socialise, their mental health, and often leads to abuse of pain killers. “‘If the conditions are not identified and treated, they can become substantially more disabling over time. “From a productivity perspective, it’s vital that employers work with employees to find ways to adapt their roles to retain skills and experience. “It can often be as simple as providing a little more flexibility,” she added