A new Research Australia report released today by Arthritis Australia confirms one of our leading causes of disability and pain – arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions (including back pain) – remains significantly deprived of research funding, despite costing the health system a staggering $16 billion a year.[1]
Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions (AMSK) affect almost one in three Australians[2], from young children to people of working age through to retirees,[2] but are starved of research funding to advance how we manage them effectively – receiving just 5% of MRFF funding and 1.6% of National Health & Medical Research (NHMRC) funding in 2023-24.[1]
AMSK are a leading cause of chronic pain and early retirement and are one of the top three contributors to Australia’s disease burden (13%) alongside cancer (16.4%) and mental health (14.8%).[1] They generate a significant financial and productivity drain with $1.1 billion per year to be spent on extra welfare payments and lost tax revenue and $9.4 billion per year on lost GDP due to arthritis related early retirement by 2030.[2]
The analysis by Research Australia, comparing different research funding models, confirms a focussed MRFF Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Mission, over the next decade, will not only yield significant gains to the community living with these debilitating conditions but also generate a twofold reduction in the health system and productivity burden.[1] A net return of $361 million would also result for the economy, and over 600 research and clinical jobs would be created over the period.
In light of the alarming findings, Arthritis Australia is calling for an MRFF Mission commitment of at least $100 million to ensure arthritis and musculoskeletal (AMSK) conditions no longer limit Australian’s participation, productivity or quality of life.
“We have reached a crisis point with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions and the unprecedented strain they place on communities, hospitals and health budgets. We need to move urgently to give them the attention they deserve and finally address the long-term research underfunding,” states Louise Hardy, CEO Arthritis Australia.
You can read the full joint media release here.
