Clinicians and advocates have welcomed a dedicated MRFF mission to tackle conditions affecting one in three Australians.
The federal government has announced a $100 million Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Conditions Research Mission, the largest dedicated federal investment in arthritis and musculoskeletal research in Australia’s history.
The move has drawn strong support from clinicians, researchers and patient advocates, and coincided with the opening of a new home for the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, a joint venture of the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and the University of Sydney.
Prime minister Anthony Albanese said the new Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Mission would invest $100 million over 10 years to support research into the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions.
The initiative aims to address a longstanding imbalance in research funding for conditions that affect around one in three Australians (some seven million people) and costs the health system more than $16 billion annually.
Federal health minister Mark Butler said the investment was intended to “balance the scale” for a disease group that has historically received less research funding than other major chronic health conditions.
“Seven million or more Australians, that’s about one in three Australians, are dealing with this really debilitating set of conditions, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis,” Mr Butler said during a radio interview.
“Gout is a very common condition as well, often not really very well understood because it’s often associated in stereotypes with an old man who’s drinking too much brandy. It’s obviously much more complicated than that, largely a genetic condition.”
Mr Butler said there was “still so much we don’t know about these conditions, first of all, what causes a lot of them, but particularly how to treat them”.
“Although it impacts about one in three Australians, historically there hasn’t been the same level of money going into research for these conditions that you see in some other common conditions like cardiovascular disease or dementia. This is also a bit about balancing the scale.”
The initiative will bring together researchers, clinicians, industry partners, and consumers to accelerate discoveries that improve patient outcomes.
Mr Albanese said the funding would support Australian researchers to develop better treatments and improve diagnosis for patients living with arthritis and related conditions.
“For millions of Australians, living with arthritis isn’t just an ache or pain, it affects their ability to work, to stay active and to enjoy everyday life,” he said.
“My government’s $100 million investment will be a gamechanger for Australians living with arthritis.”
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The announcement was welcomed by Arthritis Australia, which has led a multi-year advocacy campaign alongside researchers, clinicians, and consumer groups to secure a dedicated research mission.
Arthritis Australia chief executive Louise Hardy described the funding commitment as a major milestone for the arthritis community.
“This is a truly historic day for our community,” Ms Hardy said.
“The announcement gives hope to millions of Australians of all ages living with the pain of arthritis.
“We are deeply grateful to the Albanese Government for listening to our community and making this commitment. This Mission will drive the research breakthroughs we so urgently need – from earlier diagnosis and improved treatments to the hope of cures.”
Ms Hardy said the mission would support research across more than 100 different arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, back pain, and other autoimmune diseases.
According to analysis commissioned by the organisation from Research Australia, a dedicated arthritis and musculoskeletal research mission could substantially reduce the health and productivity burden associated with these conditions over the next decade while delivering an estimated net economic return of $361 million.
Ms Hardy said the announcement reflected years of coordinated advocacy across the sector.
“There has been extraordinary collaboration from across the sector over many years of advocacy. The whole community has spoken with one voice,” she said.
“Arthritis Australia, state and territory arthritis organisations and other patient groups, the Australian Rheumatology Association, clinicians, researchers and research institutes have been united in advocacy for this crucial goal.”
The mission forms part of the government’s broader commitment to increase annual MRFF investments from $650 million to $1 billion by 2030-31.
Speaking at the opening of the new home of the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, Mr Albanese said the investment would help drive a national response to a growing health challenge as Australia’s population ages.
“Australians who find themselves at risk of developing conditions like arthritis in the future will benefit from better prevention,” he said.
“And the millions of Australians who live daily with these conditions will receive the care and the relief they deserve, to live fuller lives.”
Ms Hardy said Arthritis Australia would work closely with government, researchers, and clinicians on the design and implementation of the Mission to ensure it delivers meaningful outcomes for people living with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions across Australia.
