Painaustralia is Australia’s leading pain advocacy body working to improve the quality of life of people living with pain, their families and carers, and to minimise the social and economic burden of pain on individuals and the community.
To download Cost of Pain Report, click on the image
Cost of Pain Report
In the most comprehensive financial analysis of chronic pain in Australia to date, The cost of pain in Australia report reveals the staggering cost of chronic pain on Australian lives and the economy. A cost set to rise if immediate action is not taken.
More than three million Australians live with chronic pain which significantly impacts on their ability to work, sleep and maintain relationships.
As a nation the pain price tag is already $139 billion and will rise to more than $215 billion by 2050.
Painaustralia's The cost of pain in Australia report and National Strategic Action Plan for pain management table a number of pathways to address this burgeoning issue.
The cost of pain in Australia Report for Painaustralia by Lynne Pezzullo, Lead Partner, Health Economics and Social Policy, Deloitte Access Economics (4 April 2019 )
Media Release
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20 May 2019 Painaustralia welcomes returning Morrison GovernmentPainaustralia welcomes the re-election of the Morrison Government and congratulates them on a strong and effective campaign. Painaustralia CEO, Carol Bennett, said “As we await confirmation of the new Morrison Government Cabinet, it is important to note that the Coalition’s funding commitments on health were pivotal to their election campaign and win. “Painaustralia has been pleased to work with the Coalition and Health Minister Greg Hunt in ground-breaking work to advance pain management in Australia over the last 12 months. Minister Hunt funded the first Strategic National Action Plan for Pain Management. At the launch of the Cost of Pain report, Minister Hunt also committed an additional $6.8m to deliver better pain management across Australia, as well as the establishment of a National Advisory Council on Pain.” The number of Australians living with chronic pain is set to rise from 3.24 million to 5.23 million by 2050. Inaction will see the chronic pain price tag remain in the billions: Last year alone, Australians paid $2.7 billion in out of pocket expenses to manage their pain. As a nation, the annual cost will rise from $139.3 billion in 2018 to an estimated $215.6 billion by 2050. “Deloitte Access Economics Cost of Pain report released by Minister Hunt in April this year has highlighted the seriousness of the pain burden in Australia and makes a clear case for investment and support to prevent and manage chronic pain conditions. “The impact of pain is so great, not just in dollar terms, but in lost potential, to contribute, to participate. The rising rate of deaths associated with prescription opioids is just one indicator that we aren’t dealing with chronic pain well in this country,” Ms. Bennett said. “Millions of Australians are affected by chronic pain - 70% of working age. Tens of thousands living with pain are looking for help from our health system each day. More than 40% of people living with chronic pain also live with depression or anxiety. Australia was the first country in the world to develop a national framework for pain management with the National Pain Strategy in 2010, and the Health Minister, Greg Hunt MP, further advanced this objective by funding the development of the National Strategic Action Plan for Pain Management. According to Ms Bennett, “Australia now has the opportunity to lead the world with the implementation of the first, fully funded government response to comprehensively addressing the burden of pain. “Painaustralia looks forward to continuing our work with the Morrison Government, Health Minister Greg Hunt and our stakeholders to further address the need for an improved national approach to pain management. For millions of Australians, their families, workplaces and communities, better understanding and access to effective pain management cannot come soon enough.” Media contact: Priyanka Rai |
Painaustralia in the news
The Daily Telegraph - 4 April 2019
The Daily Telegraph - 4 April 2019
9NEWS - 4 April 2019
Starts at 60 - 4 April 2019
Hit Network - 4 April 2019
MIRAGE NEWS- 4 April 2019
The Courier Mail- 4 April 2019
SBS News- 4 April 2019
7NEWS Brisbane - 4 April 2019
7NEWS Melbourne - 4 April 2019
Latest Submissions
ENEWS Issue 87
- PBS Improvements Process_Medicines Status Website From Painaustralia April 2019 Download the submission
- Medical Benefits Schedule Review: Draft Report from the Pain Management Clinical Committee From Painaustralia April 2019 Download the submission
- Productivity Commission Inquiry into Mental Health_Submission from Painaustralia April 2019 Download the submission
- TGA Spinal Implants reclassification Consultation_Submission from Painaustralia March 2019 Download the submission
- TGA prescription medication under evaluation Consultation_Submission from Painaustralia March 2019 Download the submission
- ACRE Draft Prescribing Guidance-Non-Cancer Pain_Submission from Painaustralia March 2019 Download the submission
- Royal Commission into Aged Care Submission from Painaustralia February 2019 Download the submission
- TGA Medical Devices Consultation Submission from Painaustralia February 2019 Download the submission
- Review of Early Release of Superannuation Benefits: Furthers consultation and draft proposals February 2019 Download the submission
- Submission to Victorian Royal Commission into Mental Health January 2019 Download the submission
- A message from the CEO
- The Cost of Pain in Australia report released
- Pain and the Federal Budget
- Private Health Insurance Reforms
- Consumer Advisory Group: The first meeting
- Submissions and Policy Updates
- Conferences/Out and About
- In the media
- Painaustralia Annual General Meeting scheduled
- Pain Revolution on Tour: Guest Contribution
- Out and About: Gallery
Painaustralia Strategic Plan 2019 - 2021
Painaustralia is proud to participate in the 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney. The Games celebrates the spirit of injured service men and women, who have been challenged and tested but not overcome. Despite their many triumphs, pain remains a common thread binding these men and women, all of whom live with life-changing injuries, both visible and invisible. Painaustralia welcomes the opportunity to participate at ‘An Unconquerable Mind: a discussion on veterans’ mental health’, a topic which is so closely tied with all forms of pain.
We're delighted to support our member Innovative Rehab's Clinical Psychologist Tanja Hirvonen at the NACCHO Conference talking pain and mental health in indigenous communities
Painaustralia CEO Carol Bennett says “We do need to monitor people and know what is happening with opioid use across the country, but there is little point in just monitoring the problem. What we need to do is put in place the solution. We need to see better pain management"
