The ability to work is important to people living with arthritis, and provides a sense of worth and wellbeing, but for this to happen, the government must assist and support them, says Arthritis New Zealand after the announcement of the proposed welfare overhaul.

Sandra Kirby, Chief Executive of Arthritis New Zealand warns that helping people with arthritis to stay in work requires more than wishful thinking: "Experience from overseas such as the European 'Fit for Work' programme shows us that to support people with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, to remain in work requires investment into health services to ensure early diagnosis and effective treatment."

25,000 New Zealanders will not work this year due to arthritis. This cost around $1.48 billion in lost productivity in 2010.

"Evidence shows that keeping people in the workforce is better for them and the community but does require investment. The government needs to make arthritis a health priority so funding can be directed to early intervention and adequate treatment; to the welfare system to provide support for people on benefits to return to work and for effective medications to be made available early in the disease progression so damage is limited."

"Half of the clients that have attended our clinics in the past year were of working age. This is totally consistent with the report figures – this disease attacks people in their prime as well as our children and our seniors.

"The support services that Arthritis New Zealand offers are vital in getting more New Zealanders back to work after being diagnosed with a chronic illness like arthritis. Employers also have a role – some simple measures like reviewing work practices will help people with arthritis – and the same accommodations are likely to benefit the whole workforce."

Facts about arthritis:

- Arthritis is the largest contributor to musculo-skeletal disorders.

- There is 530,000 New Zealanders living with arthritis, over half are female and are of working age (15-64 years).

- It is estimated that there are over 1000 children and young people under the age of 20 years affected by arthritis in New Zealand

- In addition, the burden of disease – the years of healthy life lost because of arthritis – is estimated as 21,491 Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) in 2010.

- People with arthritis are 5% less likely to be employed than those without arthritis, based on New Zealand Health Survey data.

- Health sector costs of arthritis are estimated to be $695m in 2010, 22% of total financial costs.

- Hospital costs represent around one third of health sector costs ($237m).

- Public inpatient costs are 42% of hospital costs, and are dominated by osteoarthritic knee and hip surgeries.

- Pathology and imaging together are estimated to be 12% of health sector costs.

- The indirect costs of arthritis ($2.50bn) outweigh health costs around 3.6 to 1

- Arthritis is a painful and unpredictable disease

- There is no cure

- There are over 140 different types of arthritis

- Arthritis New Zealand offers support those with arthritis through:

• Free clinics and self-management courses
• Information and education - including condition-specific seminars and education talks, informative brochures, a quarterly magazine, local newsletters, a website and seminars.
• Local awareness and fundraising - local fundraising initiatives and opportunities for volunteering which is vital to the charity's success.Advocacy and Lobbying - representing the interests of those affected by arthritis to local and national decision makers.
• Research – funding research projects in New Zealand which focus on the cause and treatment of arthritis, complementing overseas projects. A dedicated 'Research Fund' is in place to support this.

- For more information on Arthritis New Zealand, please call 0800 663 463