The federal government will invest a record $100m during the next decade into arthritis research in Australia.
Using the Medical Research Future Fund, the government will create an Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Conditions Research Mission to guide the new research.
The MRFF is a long-term $24.5bn investment to support health and medical research and has been the subject of an intensive campaign urging more spending now on research, rather than banking investment dividends for the future.
The arthritis mission will bring together researchers, health professionals, industry partners and patients to help improve outcomes for the more than seven million Australians living with arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions.
Anthony Albanese, who has spoken in the past about his mother’s struggle with rheumatoid arthritis, said the investment would be a “gamechanger”.
“For millions of Australians, living with arthritis isn’t just an ache or pain, it affects their ability to work, to stay active and to enjoy everyday life,” Mr Albanese said.
“It will back Australian researchers to develop better treatments, improve diagnosis and help find the breakthroughs patients have been waiting for.”
Arthritis Australia CEO Louise Hardy said her foundation is “deeply grateful” for the funding.
Arthritis Australia had campaigned for a national arthritis and musculoskeletal research mission to be established through the MRFF.
“This is a truly historic day for our community,” Ms Hardy said.
“We are deeply grateful to the Albanese government for listening to our community and making this commitment.
“This mission will drive the research breakthroughs we so urgently need – from earlier diagnosis, improved treatments, to the hope of cures.”
Arthritis is an umbrella term that covers a range of often painful conditions from osteoarthritis, the most common joint disease, to rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, both autoimmune diseases, to a number of conditions such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis affecting children.
The federal budget in May provisioned for larger investments in health and medical research through distributions from the MRFF which will increase every year from 2026-27 up to $1bn a year by 2030-31 – an increased spend of $508.5m over four years.
Currently the fund distributes $650m a year and success rates for grant applicants have plummeted, especially for early to mid-career researchers.
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