In a recent study published in The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, orthopedic surgeons from 13 different hospitals, programs and universities across the country examined the economic burden of musculoskeletal disease and proposed a number of strategies to address this burden.
The study found:
• Healthcare costs and indirect expenditures for people suffering from musculoskeletal diseases total $950 billion
• $950 billion is 7.4 percent of the U.S. gross national product
• Musculoskeletal research accounts for less than 2 percent of the National Institutes for Health budget
The researchers proposed a number of strategies to address this issue. Initiative included increased awareness and early diagnosis of arthritis. The researchers also call for the education of both government and non-government policy makers.
Read the full study.
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