Arthritis and Musculoskeletal conditions;
Osteoporosis
The Australian government has recognized nine national health priority areas (NHPAs) as a response to the World Health Organization’s global strategy Health for All by the year 2000 to combat diseases and conditions that contribute significantly to the wellbeing of the Australian community. The NHPA initiative framework aims to reduce burden of illness and injury by ensuring the continuity of care from preventive measures through to treatment, management and maintenance. Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions is one of the nine latest NHPAs having larger impact on the health of Australians. Musculoskeletal conditions are conditions of bones, muscles and their attachments such as joints and ligaments. It is not only highly prevalent but also large contributors to pain, illness and disability in Australia. Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions also constitute more than half of all chronic conditions globally and are the significant cause of severe, pain (long-term) and disability (physical) (Murray and Lopez 1996).
There are five common musculoskeletal conditions: i) back pain and problems, ii) osteoarthritis, iii) rheumatoid arthritis, iv) osteoporosis and v) juvenile arthritis. All these conditions are diverse with respect to functional changes that results from the disease. However, their association with pain and impaired functioning are anatomically linked. The risk factors are congenital anomalies, metabolic abnormalities, inflammatory conditions, infections, overuse of joints, joint injury, cancer and gender. Since these causes are related with age, arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions are highly likely to increase with ageing of the population. In this regard, Australian Health Ministers announced arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions as a National Health Priority Area (NHPA) in July 2002