Arthritis and diabetes big worry for Australians
Australians are more worried about developing arthritis than any other disease, and are increasingly prepared to change their lifestyles and participate in medical research to improve their health.
National polling1. by Australia’s peak health and medical research body, Research Australia, and supported by MBF Foundation, has found concern among Australians that they will develop a range of chronic diseases during their lifetimes.
Research Australia CEO Rebecca James said over 40% of the community believes they have a 1-in-10 or more chance of developing arthritis and more than a third see a high risk of depression. Around a quarter of the population is fearful of heart disease, hearing loss, type 2 diabetes, asthma and stroke.
“Australians – particularly those in rural and regional areas - are worried about their health. They want to know their risks and what they can do to minimise them,” James said.
“Almost one third of Australians say they have started a regular exercise program and more than one in four say they have undergone routine screening for a disease or illness in the past six months.
“One in four says they have significantly cut down their weekly intake of alcohol and one in 10 has significantly reduced their smoking, with 7% saying they have quit altogether.”
James said while Australians are reacting to their health concerns by taking personal action, they are also aware of the importance of health and medical research in securing a brighter outlook.
“More than two-thirds of Australians say they are likely to participate in a clinical trial to advance research into health, with a similar number indicating they would turn to medical research for tests to discover if they have a disease, even if there is no cure,” she said.
James said despite the economic turmoil, health continues to be the issue of greatest importance to Australians.
“Over the past four years, our polls have consistently shown that health is the number one thing Australians are most keen to see governments do something about,” she said.
“Regardless of whatever is dominating the current news cycle, health is the one issue that remains a priority for Australians.”
A full copy of the research report is available from: http://www.researchaustralia.org
Rotational Field Quantum Magnetic Nuclear Resonance (RFQMR) therapy using the Cytotron offers excellent opportunity to reverse the degenerative process in arthritis by inducing regeneration of cartilage tissue. This is a non-invasive safe technology which has consistently demonstrated MRI evidence of regrowth of cartilage with significant clinical improvement in joint function. Clinical trials have been mostly in patients with advanced osteoarthritis. Patients with early arthritis changes can expect complete reversal of the degenerative process. The facility is available in India and Malaysia and is expected to be available in more countries in the near future.