A new study suggests that research on battling musculoskeletal conditions, including osteoarthritis, back pain and osteoporosis, has delivered a substantial return on investment (ROI) in the long run.
The study was co-funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) along with other key organisations such as Arthritis Research UK, the Academy of Medical Sciences, the National Institute for Health Research and Wellcome. This is the latest in the series of studies which measured the value of research. Previously, the ROI from research on cardiovascular disease, mental health, and cancer were evaluated.
The study findings published in the journal Health Research Policy and Systems show that an investment of £1 in musculoskeletal research has delivered a yearly return which equates in value to 25p every year, forever. The ROI equates to health benefits of 7p, with an additional 15-18p in benefits to the wider economy, annually.
Musculoskeletal disorders constitute a huge healthcare burden in the UK, with ~10 million individuals affected by arthritis, osteoarthritis, back pain and osteoporosis. Dr Stephen Meader, Programme Manager for Musculoskeletal Health at the MRC, commented: “These new findings emphasise that the research community is on the right track – funding this research is leading to huge benefits not for everyday patients, but also to the UK economy.”
