Let’s keep moving to save our joints and health budgets!

Media Release

24th April 2013

Let’s keep moving to save our joints and health budgets!

Arthritis New Zealand is urging New Zealanders to get out and move for the sake of their joints and the health system.

This call comes in the wake of the declining percentages of New Zealanders undertaking some form of physical activity in the New Zealand Health Survey, undertaken by the Ministry of Health. “There is more than enough evidence of the financial and personal burden financial burden faced by New Zealand due to physical inactivity” said Chief Executive Sandra Kirby.

“Appropriate exercise has been proven to benefit people living with arthritis, as well as having health benefits in general,”

Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in New Zealand, and exercising regularly helps with weight management, strengthens muscles and cartilage and maintains healthy bones and joints.

Gout, the second most common form of arthritis is particularly common in Maori and Pacific men of working age. “We know that one in five Maori and Pacific men have gout and we know the impact that condition has on people’s lives and ability to work. Once gout has been diagnosed diet and exercise are important treatments that support medication.”

Research undertaken by Arthritis New Zealand in 2010 showed the economic cost of arthritis for this country was $3.2 billion dollars a year. “More exercise is one of the easiest ways of helping reduce the burden of arthritis on the country.”

Arthritis New Zealand is a national organisation that raises awareness of the more than 140 forms of arthritis, advocates for those living with arthritis; funds research, and provides support through information and advice. There are more than 530,000 New Zealanders living with arthritis.

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www.arthritis.org.nz

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