Economic Impact of Fragility Fractures - Osteoporosis New Zealand

Falls and fractures among older adults currently cost the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) $345 million annually. Population forecasts suggest that without preventive interventions, these costs could more than double by 2035. This rapidly growing demand for resources due to falls and fractures has the potential to significantly constrain the healthcare system’s capacity to treat other illnesses and injuries.

The economic impact of fragility fractures extends beyond medical costs, leading to lost productivity and increased caregiving needs. Without action, this burden will strain healthcare resources and reduce workforce participation.

The economic impact of fragility fractures extends far beyond the immediate costs of hospital and urgent care. In addition to the direct medical expenses associated with treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care, fragility fractures also generate substantial indirect costs. These include lost productivity, increased need for informal caregiving, and long-term disability.

A report commissioned by the UK Royal Osteoporosis Society found that 81,000 people of working age sustain fragility fractures annually in the UK, resulting in two million sick days. Approximately one third of fracture patients aged 50 to 65 were forced to leave work as a result. Application of these findings on a per capita basis would suggest that 6,200 working age New Zealanders sustain a fragility fracture each year resulting in 153,000 sick days and more than 2,000 people leaving the workplace prematurely.

The Australian and New Zealand Fragility Fracture Registry provides a platform to conduct research into the economic impact of fragility fractures in New Zealand.

Given New Zealand’s rapidly ageing population, the unchecked progression of osteoporosis threatens to consume vast healthcare resources and significantly reduce workforce participation among older New Zealanders. We cannot afford to let an avoidable crisis undermine the sustainability of our healthcare system and economic stability.