- 3.9 million Australians have arthritis. That’s 1 in 6 people.
- By 2030, it is projected there will be 5.4 million Australians with arthritis.
- Around 2 million people with arthritis are of working age (15-64 years)
- Arthritis cost the health system $5.5 billion in 2015. This will rise to $7.6 billion by 2030.
- Arthritis accounts for 8% of the total burden of disease and injury in Australia
- Children get arthritis too
- Arthritis is the leading cause of chronic pain and the second most common cause of disability and early retirement due to ill health in Australia.
- 52,000 people (aged 15-64 years) unable to work due to arthritis
- Extra welfare costs and lost tax revenue due to early retirement due to arthritis cost $1.1 billion in 2015
- There are more than 100 different types of arthritis
- Most forms of arthritis are thought to be auto-immune conditions, where the body’s immune system attacks its own joint tissues
- Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout are the most common forms of arthritis
- We do know you’ve got to move it or lose it; rest can make pain and other symptoms much worse.
There’s no cure… yet, but there’s a lot that can be done and with your help we can make life for people with arthritis a whole lot better!
Source and credit: Arthritis Australia
References:
Sources:
[1] 2. Australian Bureau of Statistics. Long-term health conditions [Internet]. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 2022 [cited 31 August 2022]. Available from: https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/long-term-health-conditions. [2] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2020. Arthritis. Cat. no. PHE 234. Canberra: AIHW. Viewed 10 August 2021, https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-musculoskeletal-conditions/arthritis: [3] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2021. Australian Burden of Disease Study: impact and causes of illness and death in Australia 2018. Australian Burden of Disease Study series no. 23. Cat. no. BOD 29. Canberra: AIHW: [4] Ackerman IN, Bohensky MA, Pratt C, Gorelik A, Liew D, 2016. Counting the Cost: the current and future burden of arthritis. Part 1 Healthcare Costs. Arthritis Australia 2016. [5] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2009. Chronic disease and participation in work. Cat. No. PHE 109. Canberra: AIHW.
[1] 2. Australian Bureau of Statistics. Long-term health conditions [Internet]. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 2022 [cited 31 August 2022]. Available from: https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/long-term-health-conditions. [2] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2020. Arthritis. Cat. no. PHE 234. Canberra: AIHW. Viewed 10 August 2021, https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-musculoskeletal-conditions/arthritis: [3] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2021. Australian Burden of Disease Study: impact and causes of illness and death in Australia 2018. Australian Burden of Disease Study series no. 23. Cat. no. BOD 29. Canberra: AIHW: [4] Ackerman IN, Bohensky MA, Pratt C, Gorelik A, Liew D, 2016. Counting the Cost: the current and future burden of arthritis. Part 1 Healthcare Costs. Arthritis Australia 2016. [5] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2009. Chronic disease and participation in work. Cat. No. PHE 109. Canberra: AIHW.
Last reviewed 31 August 2022.