Arthritis – Count the Costs and Bank the Savings

A major new report shows the growing multi-billion dollar costs of arthritis to the economy, individuals and to the healthcare system and how relatively small investments could yield savings of more than $170 million a year.

Media release:

Key findings of the report include:

• There are 3.9 million Australians with arthritis and this will grow to 5.4 million by 2030.
• Arthritis currently costs the health system $5.5 billion and this will grow to $7.6 billion by 2030 unless more is done to prevent and better manage the condition.
• Providing better care for people with arthritis can save the health system over $170m a year by reducing demand for joint replacements
• Arthritis is a major cause of disability and early retirement due to ill-health. This costs the government $1.1 billion in extra welfare payments and lost taxation revenue and costs the economy $7.2 billion in lost GDP alone.

Counting the cost: the current and future burden of arthritis to download the report click the below links:

Tell your local Member of Parliament (MP) and the Minister for Health how arthritis affects you and your family, and demand programs to give you better care and support. To find out more click here.