Although osteoarthritis affects more than 500 million people in the world, according to the World Health Organisation, there is no cure or any approved drugs to treat or prevent the disease and the only available treatments are painkillers, anti-inflammatory medications, and total joint replacement.
By the year 2050 1 in 3 will suffer from osteoarthritis, and to this day, there is no cure.
Therefore, the aim of the NetwOArk COST Action – The Open European Network on OsteoArthritis – is to set up a European Society for Osteoarthritis. Launched, in October 2022, the network gathers patients, clinicians, and researchers, from academia and industry in 17 countries. NetwOArk intends to build an inclusive network and a new society that brings together all the major key players, including patients, patient advocacy groups, scientists, doctors, pharmaceutical companies, small and medium-sized enterprises, medical device manufacturers, and policymakers.
They expect more people to have it because people are getting older and fatter.
Seems like a better use of our time is to get people thinner and maybe get rid of some vehicle safety regulations so we die sooner too just kidding about that second part
I’m always impressed by what expensive and complicated treatments we come up with instead of just telling people not to get/stay fat. Being fat doesn’t make you any less valuable as a human being, but that doesn’t mean being fat isn’t bad for you.
Telling people not to get fat is ineffective. This is proven by the countless messages we see every day about how bad it is to be fat.
You have to have/provide solutions for people to lose weight (and no, simply telling people to eat less/exercise more doesn’t count) that work. Different people need different solutions, too.
Interestingly, orthopedic market analysts are simultaneously warning of potential headwinds in the number of orthopedic surgeries due to the anticipated growth in the use of Ozempic and similar drugs. These weight-loss drugs will reduce the stress on joints such as hips, knees, and vertebrae, delaying, and in some cases eliminating, the need for orthopedic surgery.
Of course, there are many factors at play including the aging population, the rate of increase of prescriptions, whether insurers eventually cover the use of such drugs, and the manufacturers’ ability to keep up with the demand.
EU, a step ahead. /sigh In the US? It’s only about reelection.
