The Australian WorkHealth Program – Arthritis
Arthritis is one of the major contributors to disability in the Australian community and the costs to the economy run into billions of dollars. It is a chronic condition that usually has a gradual onset and results in increasing decline in function and quality of life.
Arthritis and related musculoskeletal conditions are a significant cause of lost productivity in the workplace, through absenteeism and presenteeism (work impairment). They are also significant contributors to premature exit from the workforce.
- Nearly one in five Australians has arthritis, including 2.4 million people of working age
- Labour force participation in those with arthritis is 20% lower in men and 25% lower among women1
- Arthritis is responsible for a 4% lower annual work output 2
- Presenteeism costs are around 75% of arthritis-related lost productive time, with up to 3 to 4 days a month lost 3,4
- Over 50% of workers’ compensation claims in Victoria relate to musculoskeletal disorders. Poor nutrition and low physical activity increase the incidence of claims and slow down recovery.
- Arthritis and related musculoskeletal disorders account for $1.6 billion p.a. in health-care costs (AIHW)
The risk factors for arthritis are similar to those for other chronic diseases and the knowledge and expertise gained from the first phase of the project will be applicable to the primary prevention of major chronic diseases, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Project timeline
The project involves two phases:
Phase 1 (2007-2008)
The objectives of phase 1 are to carry out a scoping study for the development of a targeted arthritis awareness workplace self-management education pilot and include consultation with the health and workplace sectors in the program development process, establishment of appropriate metrics to assess the impact of the project and the identification of suitable pilot sites for the implementation of the Australian WorkHealth Program - Arthritis.
The literature review, the workshop and other stakeholder consultation will directly inform the planning and implementation of Phase 2.
Phase 2 (2008–2009)
Phase 2 involves implementation of the program within pilot sites; quality monitoring and feedback processes (quantitative data); and evaluation of quality and feedback process stage in conjunction with the metrics established with the health and workplace sectors (quantitative and qualitative).
The results will be available from this website and the Department of Health and Ageing website in December 2009.
References
1 Yelin, E., Arthritis. The cumulative impact of a common chronic condition. Arthritis Rheum, 1992. 35(5): p. 489-97
2 Muchmore, L., et al., Prevalence of arthritis and associated joint disorders in an employed population and the associated healthcare, sick leave, disability, and workers' compensation benefits cost and productivity loss of employers. J Occup Environ Med, 2003. 45(4): p. 369-78
3 Kessler, R.C., et al., The effects of chronic medical conditions on work loss and work cutback. J Occup Environ Med, 2001. 43(3): p. 218-25
4 Stewart, W.F., et al., Lost productive time and cost due to common pain conditions in the US workforce. JAMA, 2003. 290(18): p. 2443-54