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Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health
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Low Back Pain in Australian Adults: The Economic Burden

B.F. Walker, DC, MPH

School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia, spine{at}optusnet.com.au

R. Muller, MSc, PhD

School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia

W.D. Grant, EdD

Centre for Evidence Based Practice, Department of Family Medicine, State University of New York, USA

This paper reports the results of a "cost-of-illness" study of low back pain (LBP) in Australian adults. It estimates the direct cost of LBP in 2001 to be AU$1.02 billion. Approximately 71% of this amount is for treatment by chiropractors, general practitioners, massage therapists, physiotherapists and acupuncturists. However, the direct costs are minor compared to the indirect costs of AU$8.15 billion giving a total cost of AU$9.17 billion. LBP in Australian adults represents a massive health problem with a significant economic burden. This burden is so great that it has compelling and urgent ramifications for health policy, planning and research. This study identifies that research should concentrate on both direct but particularly the indirect costs including cost-effective management regimes that encourage an early return to duties. Asia Pac J Public Health 2003; 15(2): 79-87.

Key Words: Low back pain • cost of illness • direct cost • indirect cost • economic burden.

Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health, Vol. 15, No. 2, 79-87 (2003)
DOI: 10.1177/101053950301500202
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N. Henschke, C. G Maher, K. M Refshauge, R. D Herbert, R. G Cumming, J. Bleasel, J. York, A. Das, and J. H McAuley
Prognosis in patients with recent onset low back pain in Australian primary care: inception cohort study
BMJ, July 7, 2008; 337(jul07_1): a171 - a171.
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