Policy Matters

Building A Collective Policy Agenda for Musculoskeletal Health and Mobility

Release of 2010 Backgrounder Report 

Musculoskeletal disorders are the most prevalent chronic health conditions in Canada and a leading cause of disability and use of health care resources.  MSD encompass a broad range of disorders that affect the bones, joints and connective tissue.  These include arthritis and related conditions, back pain, spinal disorders, other bone and joint conditions (including osteoporosis) and trauma (fractures, dislocations and sprains and strains).

MSD pose a major health burden to society and have significant impact on the quality of life of those who have these conditions as well as their families and caregivers.  Direct costs to the health care system and indirect costs due to MSD, such as long-term disability, result in an enormous economic impact. Despite these facts, corporate and public awareness of the impact of MSK conditions is very low. Aging of the baby boomer population increases the need to pay attention to MSD, most of which are more frequent in the working age and older years of life. MSD are a pressing public problem that need to be addressed.

In order to set the agenda for policies and other initiatives to reduce the impact of MSD on individuals and society, this report brings together current national and provincial information on MSD.  It presents an overview of:

• The number of people in Canada who have MSD.
• The costs to the Canadian economy.
• Health behaviours which might affect MSD.
• The impact on quality of life in terms of pain, disability and employment. 
• Use of health care services.

The report highlights areas to work on together as well as pointing to some areas where information is lacking or research is needed.  In other words, the report builds on current understanding of the national impact of MSD and establishes a knowledge base that could be the foundation for future MSD strategies, policies, initiatives and programs.