A Call to Action for Musculoskeletal Research Funding The Growing Economic and Disease Burden of Musculoskeletal Conditions in the United States Is Not Reflected in Musculoskeletal Research Funding

As a result of an aging population, musculoskeletal disease is a growing source of health and economic burden in the United States. In 2019, musculoskeletal conditions affected approximately 127.4 million people (more than a third of the U.S. population); they were the top driver of health-care spending in 2016, with an estimated direct annual cost of $380.9 billion. While musculoskeletal conditions represent a substantial and growing burden in terms of prevalence, disability, and health-care costs, National Institutes of Health (NIH) research funding has remained disproportionately allocated to other disease conditions. Therefore, our purpose was to provide an assessment of the current burden of musculoskeletal disease in terms of prevalence, disability, and health-care costs, and compare the changing burden of disease to trends in NIH funding.

Automated summary

Due to an aging population, musculoskeletal disease is becoming more burdensome both in terms of health and economy in the United States. In 2019, approximately 127.4 million people were affected by musculoskeletal conditions, which accounted for more than a third of the U.S. population. These conditions were the leading driver of healthcare spending in 2016, with an estimated annual cost of $380.9 billion. However, despite the significant and growing burden of musculoskeletal diseases, the research funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) remains disproportionately allocated to other diseases. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the current burden of musculoskeletal disease and compare it to NIH funding trends.