Fast facts

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Arthritis in Australia

• 3.6 million Australians have arthritis. That’s 1 in 7 people
• Baby boomers are more than twice as likely to report having arthritis as the general population
• The most commonly reported long-term health conditions were a mental health condition, arthritis and asthma
• The most common co-morbidities in the 2021 census were arthritis and mental health, arthritis and asthma, and arthritis and heart disease
• 20% of people living alone have arthritis, compared with 7.3% of people living in family or group households
• Over 20% of people with arthritis need assistance with a core activity
• Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions account for 13% of the total burden of disease in Australia
• 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.

The disease

• 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
• Children get arthritis too

The cost

• Around 2 million people with arthritis are of working age (15-64 years)
• 52,000 people (aged 15-64 years) unable to work due to arthritis
• Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions cost the health system an estimated $14 billion in 2018
• Extra welfare costs and lost tax revenue due to early retirement due to arthritis cost $1.1 billion in 2015