One in two older Aussies could benefit from upcoming summit at Parliament House

Key points:

• Arthritis Australia is holding its first interactive summit at Parliament House in Canberra to highlight the need for reform in providing affordable and effective treatment for arthritis
• Approximately half of Australians aged 75 and older are affected by arthritis, as per the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics
• Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are costing the Australian healthcare system approximately $5.26 billion dollars annually, according to a recent report from Monash University and Arthritis Australia

Arthritis Australia is holding its first interactive summit at Parliament House this Thursday on August 22, 2024, to drive reforms for better, earlier and more affordable care for Australians affected by arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions. 

Arthritis Australia is calling for multiple improvements in assisting Australians living with arthritis, including:

• facilitating increased research for arthritis involving related burdens and economic impact;
• providing more accessible allied health services for vulnerable Australians; and
• improving health care for affected Australians before surgery is required.

Presentations will be given by Professor David Hunter, an expert in osteoarthritis, about better models of care and Associate Professor Jane Desborough from the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health will discuss current out-of-pocket costs. 

Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler will also be at the summit and provide an address. 

The meeting at Parliament House in Canberra will begin at 9:15am and will be held in the Private Dining Room until 1pm. Later in the summit, attendees will be divided into smaller groups for discussions. The event will conclude with a networking lunch. 

Almost one in two Australians aged 75 years and over live with arthritis, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. 

Types of arthritis include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, fibromyalgia and gout. 

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and can include inflammation around the joints and damage to joint cartilage. 

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis cost the Australian healthcare system approximately $5.26 billion dollars annually, according to a recent report from Monash University and Arthritis Australia. 

Current treatment methods for osteoarthritis can include pain management, engaging in exercise programs and joint replacement therapy if required. 

However, the Australian Government recently announced $62 million dollars would be allocated to clinical trials, including approximately $3,597,100 dollars to the University of Western Australia to develop new treatments for osteoarthritis. 

Australian Academy of Science Em Professor Ian Chubb previously highlighted the value of government funding for clinical trials such as developing new osteoarthritis treatments.

“Clinical trials are a key step in the pathway that turns knowledge and understanding into new and potentially better treatment options for Australians, wherever they live,” he said.

Additionally, Arthritis Australia has launched a new website called Moving with Arthritis to make it easier for Australians with arthritis to be more active and have a better quality of life. 

This new website aims to make it easier for Australians with arthritis to get moving, engage in exercise programs as well as hear from people with lived experience. 

Arthritis Australia has a toll-free number at 1800 011 041 that you can call to ask arthritis-related questions. Local state and territory Arthritis Infoline opening hours vary but are available on the Arthritis Australia website. 

The number of Australians expected to live with arthritis is expected to reach 5.39 million by 2040. 

How do you think healthcare could be improved for Australians with arthritis?

Let the team at Talking Aged Care know on social media. 

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