World Arthritis Day
Achieve Your Dreams - Raising Awareness for RMDs
World Arthritis Day is observed annually on 12 October, bringing global attention to the prevalence, impact, and challenges of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases (RMDs). In 2025, EULAR (the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology) has selected the theme 'Achieve Your Dreams' to spotlight the hopes, ambitions, and aspirations of people living with RMDs, while also reducing the stigma around these conditions.
In New Zealand, arthritis and related conditions already affect a substantial portion of the population. They remain under‑recognised and often untreated.
In this post, we’ll explain what World Arthritis Day is, why RA and OA matter, how people can get involved in 2025, and how sharing dreams can help drive change and awareness.
What Are RMDs & Why They Matter
“Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases” (RMDs) encompass over 200 conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, lupus, gout, psoriatic arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and more.
These conditions share features like joint pain, stiffness, inflammation, structural damage, fatigue, and functional limitations. They can affect people across the lifespan, not just older adults.
The importance of RMDs lies in their high prevalence, disability burden, and cost (medical, social and economic). Delays in diagnosis or suboptimal management often lead to worsening outcomes.
The Burden of Arthritis and RMDs in New Zealand
Here are key facts and numbers specific to New Zealand:
Number of people living with arthritis: ~ 750,000+
According to Arthritis NZ, over 750,000 New Zealanders have a diagnosis of arthritis. Arthritis NZ
Proportion of adults with arthritis: ~ 17 %
A media release (2018) cites Ministry of Health data showing ~17 % of NZ adults have arthritis (up from 15 % in 2011/12). Arthritis NZ+1=
Age‑group breakdown (diagnosed arthritis):
· Males 55–64: ~ 27.1 %
· Females 55–64: ~ 32 %
· Males 65–74: ~ 36.4 %
· Females 65–74: ~ 46 %
· Males 75+: ~ 47.4 %
· Females 75+: ~ 52.9 %
According to data from the 2024 (year ended June) adult survey on diagnosed arthritis:
Economic cost in NZ: ~NZD 4.2 billion per year
A 2024 analysis estimates the total cost of arthritis in NZ is about NZD 4.2 billion. The New Zealand Medical Journal
Workforce burden / working‑age impact: ~ 48 % of people with arthritis are of working age
From the “Economic Cost of Arthritis in New Zealand 2018” report: ~48 % of people with arthritis were in the working‑age bracket. Arthritis NZ
Rheumatology workforce density: ~ 0.59 rheumatologists per 100,000 people
A survey (2018) of NZ’s rheumatology workforce found one full‑time equivalent rheumatologist per 169,683 people (~0.59 per 100,000), less than international recommendations. The New Zealand Medical Journal
These numbers highlight how prevalence rises sharply with age, particularly after middle age. The projected burden of knee osteoarthritis in NZ is expected to grow, driven by population ageing and rising obesity rates, increasing demand for total joint replacement surgeries and health system costs.
World Arthritis Day in New Zealand: Goals & Local Focus
Adapting the goals of World Arthritis Day to a New Zealand setting, key aims include:
- Raise awareness locally among the public, general practitioners and allied health
- Advocate for better care access and equity including timely referrals to rheumatologists, funding for allied services (physio, occupational therapy, pain management) and culturally responsive care.
- Support those living with RMDs through peer networks, education, self‑management tools, and mental health support.
- Drive story‑telling & empowerment encourage New Zealanders with RMDs to share their dreams, lived experience, and resilience under the #RMDreams banner.
- Influence health policy use evidence and voices to push for models of care, workforce planning (e.g. increasing rheumatology staffing), and funding aligned with the burden.
