Outdated ‘old age’ views of arthritis risk a painful and costly future, new data warns

• New national poll shows close to two in three Australians are affected by arthritis or musculoskeletal conditions – either directly or through someone they know.[1]
• Our outdated ‘old-age’ view of arthritis persists, with almost two-thirds (63%) wrongly believing most cases occur in the 65+.1
• With arthritis cases projected to rise 30% by 2040, experts warn a painful and costly future unless attitudes change and action is taken.[2]

Canberra, Australia – 1^st September 2025

Alarming findings from a YouGov national survey reveal that nearly two in three Australians (63%) are affected by arthritis or other chronic musculoskeletal conditions – either living with one themselves or knowing someone who does – yet these diseases remain widely misunderstood as being mostly an ‘old age’ problem, fuelling stigma and inaction on one of the nation’s biggest health challenges.1

Commissioned by Arthritis Australia to mark the charity’s 75^th Anniversary, the results uncovered that many Australians still fail to see these disabling conditions as a major issue for people of working-age, young adults and children. The majority(63%) of Australian’s believe that most cases occur in people over 651, when in fact two thirds (63%)of the 7.3 million Australians living with these conditions are younger than 65[3]. Almost one in five (17%) wrongly believe they do not affect children or teenagers at all.1

Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions account for almost 13% of the total burden of disease in Australia3 and are one of the highest cost disease groups, costing the health system almost $16 billion a year[4] – above diabetes[5] and coronary heart disease[6]. This toll is set to worsen, with a projected 30% increase in arthritis cases by 2040.2 The additional cost to the economy from welfare, lost tax revenue and lost GDP is projected to reach $10.9 billion by 2030. [7]

While the impact of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions on working-age Australians is substantial, the YouGov poll found that many (73%) underestimate this burden, failing to identify them as a leading cause of time off work1 – when in fact they are second only to traumatic injury.[8]

“By 2040, 30% more Australians will be living with arthritis – a staggering number of people in chronic pain and struggling with daily life, including many of working age and younger,” said Louise Hardy, Interim CEO of Arthritis Australia. “Yet ‘ageist’ views continue to mask the true scale of this significant community health issue, leaving it underestimated by the public and underfunded by government. This needs to change.”

“When Australians hear the word arthritis, they think one thing – old age. These outdated attitudes mask the reality that arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions are complex, lifelong diseases that can strike at any age, including childhood, and affect millions of people of working age,” adds Dr David Liew, rheumatologist and Arthritis Australia’s medical director.

“The human toll is matched by the cost to the health system and productivity, with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions already one of Australia’s most expensive disease groups and a leading cause of lost working years. The price of inaction is far greater than the cost of investing now in research, prevention and better care,” continues Dr Liew.

Almost one in three (31%) Australians responding to the YouGov Poll agree arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions are not taken as seriously as other major health conditions – and they are right.1 In 2023, Government research funding through the NHMRC was just $6 per person for arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions, compared with $108 for dementia and $72 for cardiovascular disease.3

Once informed about the scale of the challenge, three in four (76%) Australians said they were concerned about the growing threat of arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions.1 And they want action: 75% believe research funding should match the burden of disease, and 83% support an increase in arthritis-specific research funding.1

Professor Ranjeny Thomas, Rheumatologist and Researcher at the University of Queensland – lead of the Reset RA* project developing world-first RA-specific immunotherapy, supported by MRFF funding – states: “Research is now unlocking answers that once felt out of reach, showing us a future where rheumatoid arthritis could be cured. There is wonderful momentum in arthritis research in Australia, and specific investment right now would have enormous impact on the community.”

As Arthritis Australia marks its 75th anniversary on 1 September 2025 it will bring together, in Parliament House, Canberra, people living with arthritis, carers, researchers, clinicians and policymakers to recognise the contributions made by many over the past seven decades, whilst shining a spotlight on the urgent need for greater action.

Arthritis Australia is urging the Australian Government to commit to a 10-year Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) mission and invest $100 million+ to coordinate research, generate new evidence, and accelerate translation into care delivery that transforms musculoskeletal health outcomes – boosting recovery and workforce participation. This call is based on recommendations from Research Australia’s recent national consultation into arthritis research priorities.

About arthritis & musculoskeletal conditions3

Musculoskeletal conditions are a group of conditions affecting the bones, muscles, joints and certain connective tissues – and they can even affect eyes and other organs. These conditions include long-term (chronic) conditions osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, juvenile arthritis, osteoporosis and back problems. Around 7.3 million Australians live with arthritis or other MSK conditions and they account for almost 13% of the total burden of disease in Australia.

About the YouGov survey

This study was conducted online between 11–13 August 2025 with a nationally representative sample of 1,030 Australians aged 18 years and older, sourced from the YouGov panel. Panellists are incentivised through points that can be redeemed for cash or vouchers. The questionnaire was designed by YouGov in collaboration with Arthritis Australia, and the data was weighted by age, gender and region to reflect the latest ABS population estimates. Significant differences have been reported at the 95% confidence interval. The study was carried out in accordance with ISO 20252:2019 standards, to which YouGov is accredited.

*About current arthritis research

One arthritis-specific research project currently funded by the Australian Government is the Reset RA project led by Professor Ranjeny Thomas from the University of Queensland, in collaboration with Arthritis Australia and other institutions. Reset RA is developing world-first immunotherapy aiming to cure rheumatoid arthritis, which is a chronic condition affecting over half a million Australians. With MRFF funding, Reset RA is tracking towards its planned clinical trials in 2026, but many other projects still have unrealised potential. For more information see: https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/reset-ra/ ‎

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

[1] YouGov Survey. August 2025.
[2] Arthritis Australia (2024) The future burden of arthritis in Australia: Projections to the year 2040. Available at: https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Arthritis-projection-2040-web-version.pdf. Accessed: August 2025
[3] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2024) Chronic musculoskeletal conditions. Available at: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-musculoskeletal-conditions/musculoskeletal-conditions/contents/summary . Accessed: August 2025
[4] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2024) Health expenditure Australia 2022–23, AIHW, Australian Government, Available at https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/health-welfare-expenditure/health-expenditure-australia-2022-23. Accessed: August 2025
[5] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, ‘Diabetes: Australian facts’, Dec 2024. Accessed August 2025.
[6] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, ‘Heart, stroke and vascular disease: Australian facts’, Dec 2024. Accessed August 2025.
[7] Schofield DJ, Shrestha RN, Cunich M 2016. Counting the cost: the current and future burden of arthritis. Part 2 Economic Costs. Arthritis Australia 2016.
[8] Collie A, Sheehan L. The burden of working time lost to compensable occupational injury and disease in Australia, 2012-17: a retrospective population-based study. Med J Aust. 2024 Jun 17;220(11):573-578.