Arthritis Australia is calling for affordable, non-surgical care from physiotherapists, dietitians, and other allied health professionals to help stem the escalating arthritis crisis placing unprecedented strain on our communities, hospitals, and health budget.
More than a third of Australians are living with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions, including back pain. Together they are our most costly disease group with an annual burden of $15 billion.1
Hip and knee replacements for osteoarthritis have reached a record high, averaging over 370 procedures per day and projected to more than double by 2030 to an unsustainable over 650 daily surgeries. 2,3,4
Representatives of the arthritis community and leading experts will gather in Parliament House for the first time to address the escalating issues in arthritis and musculoskeletal care.
Research shows education and support for exercise, weight loss, and pain management through allied health professionals can reduce costly hip and knee replacements by a third – saving $1.01 billion annually.5
