Two-thirds of sufferers are aged under 65, yet public misconceptions and low research funding risk lives and productivity.
A new national survey underscores an urgent need to address widespread misconceptions about arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions in Australia.
Conducted by YouGov as part of Arthritis Australia’s 75th anniversary activities, the survey reveals that nearly two in three Australians (63%) are directly or indirectly affected by these conditions, yet misconceptions about their prevalence persist.
The survey found that 63% of Australians incorrectly believe that most arthritis cases occur in people aged over 65 years, when in reality two-thirds of the 7.3 million Australians living with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions are younger than 65.
And alarmingly, 17% of respondents assume these conditions do not affect children or teenagers at all.
“When Australians hear the word arthritis, they think one thing – old age,” said Dr David Liew, rheumatologist and Arthritis Australia’s medical director.
“These outdated attitudes mask the reality that arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions are complex, lifelong diseases that can strike at any age, including childhood, and affect millions of people of working age.
Dr David Liew, who is also Rheumatology Republic’s deputy editor, said the burden of musculoskeletal disease was all-encompassing.
“The human toll is matched by the cost to the health system and productivity, with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions already one of Australia’s most expensive disease groups and a leading cause of lost working years,” he said.
“The price of inaction is far greater than the cost of investing now in research, prevention and better care.”
Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions account for nearly 13% of the total burden of disease in Australia and are one of the nation’s costliest disease groups, with an annual health system burden of almost $16 billion – higher than both diabetes and coronary heart disease.
By 2040, cases are projected to rise by 30%, with additional economic impacts from lost productivity and welfare costs expected to reach $10.9 billion by 2030.
Despite this, the YouGov poll found that 73% of Australians underestimated the impact on working-age adults, failing to recognise these conditions as a leading cause of time off work, second only to traumatic injury.
Ms Louise Hardy, interim CEO of Arthritis Australia, said it was “staggering” to think how many more Australians would be with arthritis within 15 years.
“Yet ‘ageist’ views continue to mask the true scale of this significant community health issue, leaving it underestimated by the public and underfunded by government. This needs to change,” she said.
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The survey also highlighted a public appetite for action: 75% of Australians believe research funding should reflect the disease burden, and 83% support increased arthritis-specific research funding. Currently, government research funding through the NHMRC allocates just $6 per person for arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions, compared with $108 for dementia and $72 for cardiovascular disease.
Professor Ranjeny Thomas, rheumatologist and researcher at the University of Queensland, said research was key.
She is leading the Reset RA project, developing world-first RA-specific immunotherapy, supported by MRFF funding.
“Research is now unlocking answers that once felt out of reach, showing us a future where rheumatoid arthritis could be cured,” she said.
“There is wonderful momentum in arthritis research in Australia, and specific investment right now would have enormous impact on the community.”
The YouGov study was conducted online between 11–13 August 2025 with a nationally representative sample of 1,030 Australians aged 18 years and older. The data were weighted by age, gender and region to reflect the latest ABS population estimates. The survey was carried out according to ISO 20252:2019 standards.
