Obesity and arthritis – growing health catastrophe in the UK

Our director of external affairs, Olivia Belle, has issued a statement following the release of a report into obesity in women:

"We welcome Dame Sally Davies’s report today on women’s health and the 'growing health catastrophe' caused by obesity. Over 8 million people in the UK live with osteoarthritis, and we know that the risk of developing this painful condition is higher if you're obese, as excess weight can damage joints.

"Many forms of arthritis are more common in women, and over the next 15 years it’s estimated the number of women with knee osteoarthritis alone will be close to 3.5 million.

"The only way we'll tackle this looming health crisis is to invest properly in prevention. Arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions already cost our NHS £5 billion a year and more obesity will mean more arthritis, and extra pressure on frontline services.

"Over the next 15 years it’s estimated the number of women with knee osteoarthritis will be close to 3.5 million."Olivia Belle

"It’s why the Government’s recent decision to cut councils’ public health budget by 3.9% every year is so baffling. Prevention is at the core of the NHS Five Year Forward View, yet the Government is failing to deliver on this crucial piece of the jigsaw.

"Without money for public health, councils’ ability to tackle obesity will be severely undermined.

"Dame Sally Davies has previously made it clear that osteoarthritis is ‘an unrecognised public health priority’. If the Government fails to heed this warning and reverse its damaging public health cuts, more people will be living in devastating pain and disability in the future.”

View article...