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Government committed to fight against bone, joint conditions

The Australian Government is investing in improving the health and quality of life of Australians with bone and joint conditions Senator Kay Patterson has said. In launching the Western Australian activities of the Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010, she noted that looking after the health of our bones and joints is vital for long term quality of life.

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30 August 2003

Government committed to fight against bone, joint conditions

The Australian Government is investing in improving the health and quality of life of Australians with bone and joint conditions, the Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Senator Kay Patterson, said in Fremantle today.

"Looking after the health of our bones and joints is vital for long term quality of life," Senator Patterson said when launching the Western Australian activities of the Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010.

"In Australia, we have recognised that the burden of arthritis, osteoporosis, and other musculoskeletal conditions, including the resultant pain and disability, is a issue that must be addressed."

The Government had given strong support to countering the problem, Senator Patterson said. In the 2002-03 Budget $11.5 million had been allocated over four years to help reduce the incidence of bone and joint conditions in the community.

In this year's Budget an additional $21.8 million in continued funding over four years had been committed to help people with chronic conditions, including arthritis. An additional $2.3 million had been provided for the National Falls Prevention in Older People Initiative.

"Falls can be particularly devastating for people with osteoporosis, because they invariably lead to fractures, and sometimes the complications of fractures. This in turn affects their mobility and impacts on their ability to enjoy their older years," Senator Patterson said.

Groups such as the National Action Network for the Bone and Joint Decade, State and Territory Arthritis Foundations, Osteoporosis Australia and Arthritis Australia have also been raising awareness about arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions and dispelling the belief that these conditions are "old people's ailments" and that nothing much can be done about them.

"It is important that these groups work with the Australian Government to improve the health and quality of life of people with bone and joint conditions and reduce the impact of these conditions on the Australian community," Senator Patterson said.

Australia is one of more than 60 countries that have signed up to the Bone and Joint Decade, 2000-2010, endorsed by the World Health Organisation and the United Nations. Activities over the Decade are designed to improve the health-related quality of life for people with bone and joint conditions.

Media contact: Sarah Higginbottom, Senator Patterson's Office: 02 6277 7220

Media inquiries: Sarah Higginbottom, Media Adviser, Senator Patterson's office, 02 6277 7220.