Arthritis report highlights prevalence and cost in Australia
27 March 2001
- Nearly 5 per cent of Australians take medication for arthritis and 2 per cent are disabled or handicapped because of it. There are also indications that a significant proportion of people with arthritis go undiagnosed and untreated.
- Compared to other reported sources of disease and injury in Australia, more people report arthritis than hay fever, headaches and high blood pressure.
- In terms of patient reporting, arthritis is also more prevalent than asthma, injuries, mental disorders, diabetes and cancers.
According to Bridget Kirkham, Chief Executive Officer of the Arthritis Foundation of Australia, these are just some of the alarming statistics that are contained in an Access Economics report commissioned recently by the Foundation.
The report, Prevalence, cost and disease burden of arthritis in Australia, has just been completed, and full results will be released at a major conference in Adelaide at the end of May.
Arthritis Month starts with the launch of Arthritis Week in Sydney on 2 April, with media personality Ita Buttrose as spokesperson, and ends on 27 April with the Bone and Joint Decade launch in Melbourne by Federal Health Minister Michael Wooldridge.
According to the Foundation, Australian research estimates that juvenile chronic arthritis alone affects 4 in 1000 children and 3 in 1000 are not diagnosed. The median period before diagnosis, they say, is 40 weeks. This means that juvenile chronic arthritis affects more children than diabetes or cerebral palsy.
Ms Kirkham said that the report also stated that arthritis is Australia’s major cause of disability and chronic pain, affecting an estimated 3.1 million Australians.
‘People with arthritis need to realise they shouldn’t be living in pain. It’s a progressive disease and people affected should seek regular medical check-ups.
‘This is a vital health message, because ignoring those aches and pains and not getting a firm diagnosis from your doctor will result in permanent, long term disability,’ added Ms Kirkham.
During the month, there are public seminars, tai chi demonstrations, various walks and public information displays.
Phone the Arthritis Foundation on 1800 011 041 for more information on activities in your State or Territory.
Last Reviewed: 29 March 2001
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