Spending on arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions
increased by more than 5% annually between 2000-01 and 2004-05,
according to a report released today by Australian Institute of
Health and Welfare (AIHW).
The report Health expenditure for arthritis and
musculoskeletal conditions 2004-05 found that arthritis and
other musculoskeletal conditions, such as osteoporosis, account for
more spending on doctors and specialists than any other disease
group in Australia, at almost $1.2 billion.
'Because these conditions are more common in older people, an
increasingly ageing population is likely to further add to the
associated disease burden and the cost of providing health services
in Australia,' said Ms Tracy Dixon of the AIHW's National Centre
for Monitoring Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Conditions.
According to the report, arthritis and other musculoskeletal
conditions were the fourth largest contributor to direct health
expenditure in 2004-05, amounting to $4 billion or more than 7% of
total allocated health expenditure.
Osteoarthritis accounted for nearly one-third of expenditure for
these conditions, and 75% of the funds allocated to osteoarthritis
were spent on hospital costs, mainly related to knee and hip
replacements.
For rheumatoid arthritis, prescription pharmaceuticals accounted
for over half ($92 million) of the expenditure, illustrating the
use of medication to manage the disease.
Pharmaceuticals also accounted for almost three-quarters ($215
million) of the expenditure for the prevention and management of
osteoporosis.
The report showed the amount spent on prescribed pharmaceuticals
for preventing and managing osteoporosis nearly tripled (in current
prices) from $75.5 million in 2000-01 to $215 million in
2004-05.
About 6 million Australian men, women and children have a
musculoskeletal condition.
Friday 11 September 2009
Further information: Ms Tracy Dixon, AIHW, tel.
02 6244 1103, mob. 0418 271 395 or
For media copies of the report: Publications
Officer, AIHW, tel. (02) 6244 1032.
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications area
for the availability of Health expenditure for
arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions 2004-05.