Gout Awareness Day | May 22, 2025 : Busting Myths, Ending Stigma, and Empowering Australians to Take Control

Gout Awareness Day | May 22, 2025 : Busting Myths, Ending Stigma, and Empowering Australians to Take Control
Sydney, Australia – This Gout Awareness Day, Arthritis Australia is calling time on the dangerous myths, stigma, and neglect surrounding gout-a condition affecting over a million Australians. Despite being the most common form of inflammatory arthritis, gout remains widely misunderstood, too often dismissed as a “lifestyle disease”. This outdated thinking is leaving thousands in pain, at risk of permanent joint damage, and facing higher rates of heart and kidney disease.

It’s time to acknowledge facts – and demand better for all Australians living with gout.
Gout: the myth of the “Rich Man’s Disease”
It’s 2025, but people with gout are still being blamed for their illness. They’re told to “just eat better” or “drink less,” ignoring the overwhelming evidence that genetics, is at the heart of this disease. As Dr David Liew, Medical Director of Arthritis Australia, explains:
“Gout is not just about diet and lifestyle. It’s a chronic condition that can be well managed by taking medicines to lower uric acid levels. However, many people with gout aren’t currently being treated properly, and this can lead to debilitating joint damage as well as higher risk of kidney and cardiovascular disease.”

The Real Cost of Misinformation and Stigma
“Because of the stigma attached to it, the association of excessive lifestyle, I would say that I have arthritis instead of gout”, Dominic, 11 years lived experience.

The consequences of misinformation and stigma are devastating:
– Delayed diagnosis means prolonged pain and disability.
– Inadequate treatment leads to recurring flares and irreversible joint damage.
– Stigma and isolation stop people from seeking help.

“It’s just a myth, people think you’re an alcoholic, if you’ve got gout. That’s the worst part. I haven’t drunk for at least 50 years, I don’t drink”, Robyn, 3 years lived experience.

“In my culture, across all pacific islander nations, it is seen as shame – having gout and taking medications – it is seen as a sign of weakness. Initially, I refused to take medication, therefore, I was experiencing more gout flare ups – I wore it as a badge of honour, but now I do take my medications more regularly”, Vaireti, 30 years lived experience. 

Gout in Australia: Myths vs. Reality
Recent research from Arthritis Australia underscores the critical need to dispel misconceptions about gout, which is often stigmatised as a self-inflicted condition. Key findings include:
• 71% of respondents believed alcohol was a primary cause of gout, while 74% linked it to rich foods like red meat and seafood.
• Only 48% were aware of the genetic and hereditary factors contributing to gout.
• While 56% recognised gout’s potential to cause joint damage, fewer understood its links to kidney impairment (49%) and cardiovascular disease (24%).

“A lot of it’s really baked into genetics and I think that’s one really sad thing that people try and blame people with gout for having gout but in reality a lot of it’s just in our genes and we can’t get around that.” Dr David Liew, Medical Director Arthritis Australia.

Empowering Australians with Knowledge and Support
To tackle these misconceptions and improve outcomes, Arthritis Australia has launched a comprehensive evidence-based resource hub, funded by the Australian Government, and developed together with the Quality Use of Medicines Alliance, featuring:
– Educational materials on the causes, symptoms, and management of gout
– Expert-led videos dispelling myths and providing practical advice
– Personal stories from Australians living with gout, offering hope and guidance to others
The “Taking Control of Your Gout” booklet, designed with people living with gout and reviewed by Australian health professionals, provides clear, practical advice on working with healthcare teams, understanding medications, and making healthy lifestyle choices. It highlights the importance of maintaining target uric acid levels to prevent flares and long-term complications.

What Needs to Change-Now
– Stop the blame: Gout is a medical condition, not a moral failing.
– Demand proper treatment: Urate-lowering therapy and regular monitoring are essential to manage gout-don’t settle for less.
– Break the silence: Share your story, support others, and push for better awareness in your community.

Join the Movement
Visit https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/types-of-arthritis/gout/ to access resources, watch the latest videos, and learn how you can help end the stigma around gout. This Gout Awareness Day, let’s turn frustration into action-and make sure no Australian suffers in silence.

About Arthritis Australia
Arthritis Australia is the peak national body for arthritis, advocating on behalf of over 7 million Australians living with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions, and working with many other arthritis organisations to deliver information and support to people living with more than 100 types of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions. We are a leading non-government funder of arthritis research in Australia and advocate for policies, programs and funding initiatives that will improve the health and wellbeing of people living with arthritis. For more information visit: arthritisaustralia.com.au

About the Research The research was conducted by Arthritis Australia and the Quality Use of Medicines Alliance from June to September 2024 – via an online survey of over 100 people living with gout or caring for someone living with gout

Media Contact:
Arthritis Australia
Louise Hardy 0424 055 149

References:
1. Pathmanathan K, Robinson PC, Hill CL,Keen HI. The prevalence of gout and hyperuricaemia in Australia: An updated systematic review. Sem Arthr Rheum 2021: 51(1); 121–128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semarthrit.2020.12.001
2. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2024 Jan 9]. Chronic musculoskeletal conditions: Gout. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronicmusculoskeletal-conditions/gout
3. Kelty E, Nossent J, Raymond W, Robinson P, Hill C, Inderjeeth C, et al. Pos1147 Costs and
Factors Affecting Health Service Utilisation in Patients with Gout: A Longitudinal, Population Level Linked Data Study in Western Australia. Ann Rheum Dis. 2021 Jun;80(Suppl 1):852–3
4. Lopez D, Dwivedi G, Nossent J, Preen DB, Murray K, Raymond W, et al. Risk of Major Adverse
Cardiovascular Event Following Incident Hospitalization for Acute Gout: A Western Australian
Population-Level Linked Data Study. ACR Open Rheumatol. 2023;5(6):298–304