One in two Americans have a musculoskeletal condition costing an estimated $213 billion each year in treatment and lost wages
New report outlines the prevalence, scope, cost and projected growth of musculoskeletal disorders in the U.S.
New report outlines the prevalence, scope, cost and projected growth of musculoskeletal disorders in the U.S.
ORLANDO, Fla., March 1, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An estimated 126.6 million Americans (one in two adults) are affected by a musculoskeletal condition—comparable to the total percentage of Americans living with a chronic lung or heart condition—costing an estimated $213 billion in annual treatment, care and lost wages, according to a new report issued today by the United States Bone and Joint Initiative (USBJI).
Musculoskeletal disorders—conditions and injuries affecting the bones, joints and muscles—can be painful and debilitating, affecting daily quality of life, activity and productivity. "The Impact of Musculoskeletal Disorders on Americans: Opportunities for Action" outlines the prevalence and projected growth of musculoskeletal disorders in the U.S., and recommends strategies for improving patient outcomes while decreasing rising health and societal costs.
"This report provides the critical data needed to understand the magnitude of the problem, and the burden, of musculoskeletal disease in our country," said David Pisetsky, MD, USBJI president, and professor of medicine and immunology at Duke University Medical School. "The number of visits to physicians for these disorders, the cost of treating them, and the indirect costs associated with pain and loss of mobility, are proportionately much higher than the resources currently being allocated to combat these conditions and injuries."
"As a nation, we need to establish greater funding for musculoskeletal research, improve our understanding and strategies for prevention and treatment of these injuries and conditions, and ensure that more adults and children receive appropriate treatment sooner, and on an ongoing basis, to ensure quality of life and productivity," said Stuart L. Weinstein, MD, co-chair of the report's Steering Committee and a professor of orthopaedics and rehabilitation at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
Prevalence and predictions
According to the report, the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorders are arthritis and related conditions; back and neck pain; injuries from falls, work, military service and sports; and osteoporosis, a loss of bone density increasing fracture risk, primarily in older women. An estimated 126.6 million Americans were living with a musculoskeletal disorder in 2012. More specifically:
Cost and health care impact
The burden of musculoskeletal conditions is significant in terms of treatment and care, as well as the impact upon of quality of life, mobility, and productivity, and resulting in fewer days at work and in school. In 2011, the annual U.S. cost for treatment and lost wages related to musculoskeletal disorders was $213 billion, or 1.4 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP). When adding the burden of other conditions affecting persons with musculoskeletal conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity, the total indirect and direct costs rose to $874 billion, or 5.7 percent of the GDP in 2015.
Other data on the costs of musculoskeletal diseases and injuries include:
Opportunities for action
The report provides recommendations to curb the tremendous economic and societal costs of musculoskeletal disorders, including:
For view the entire report, and for more information on the burden of musculoskeletal disorders, visit boneandjointburden.org.
United States Bone and Joint Initiative
USBJI is a unique organization of organizations that brings together the spectrum of stakeholders concerned with musculoskeletal health. It is one of more than 60 national action networks of the worldwide Global Alliance for Musculoskeletal Health of the Bone and Joint Decade, endorsed by the United Nations and the World Health Organization. For more information on USBJI and its programs, visit www.usbji.org.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
With more than 39,000 members, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) is the world's largest association of musculoskeletal specialists. The AAOS provides education programs for orthopaedic surgeons and allied health professionals, champions and advances the highest musculoskeletal care for patients, and is the authoritative source of information on bone and joint conditions, treatments, and related issues. To learn more, visit www.aaos.org.
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SOURCE American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
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