Policy and data
We work across many areas of policy to help people living with arthritis and collate health intelligence to influence decision makers. Find out more about our influencing themes and how we work with policy makers in government to bring about change.
The State of Musculoskeletal Health statistics compendium
The State of Musculoskeletal Health is a collection of the most up-to-date, UK-wide statistics on arthritis and other musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. Here are the report's key findings:
- Around a third of the UK population, over 20 million people, live with an MSK condition.
- Arthritis and other MSK conditions are a leading cause of disability in the UK.
- People living in the most deprived communities and some ethnic groups are more likely to develop arthritis.
- Rheumatoid arthritis affects two to three times as many women as men.
- Arthritis doesn’t just affect adults – 10,000 young people and children in the UK also live with arthritis.
- People with arthritis are 20% less likely to be in work than someone without it.
In the spotlight: Arthritis UK Lived Experience Survey 2025
We invited a wide range of people living with arthritis aged 18 and over and living in the UK to complete our Lived Experience Survey to find out about the everyday challenges they face. Examine the results and insights.
News: The Government's 10 Year Health Plan: Fit for the future
On 3 July, the UK Government published its 10 Year Health Plan, setting out a vision for the NHS in England over the next decade. It’s vital that the needs of people with arthritis and other musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions are no longer overlooked.
Our top 5 influencing themes
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Arthritis as a major public health issue
Arthritis and musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions are the leading cause of disability in the UK, at considerable cost to the NHS, the economy and society. Arthritis must be regarded as a major public health issue and prioritised by governments and health commissioners in all four nations.
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Prevention and diagnosis
Early detection and intervention can play a crucial role in helping to stop or slow the development of a musculoskeletal condition. As such, it is critical that people receive a timely and helpful diagnosis, so they can access the care and support they need before their symptoms get worse.
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Fair access to treatment
There are currently great discrepancies in the access to services and support for people with musculoskeletal conditions. Our vision is that every person who experiences an MSK condition has access to treatments and services that are tailored to their needs at the most appropriate time and place.
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Living well with arthritis
At the heart of our mission is our goal to support and enable people with arthritis to live fulfilling, independent lives. We want to empower everyone with an MSK condition to be in control of their physical health, find employment that suits them at any age and be supported in the workplace.
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Children and young people with arthritis
Young people with arthritis require early diagnosis and referral for treatment to prevent long-term joint damage. They, and their families, face isolation and loneliness living with an often invisible, unpredictable condition that can affect both their physical and mental health without the right support.
The National Musculoskeletal Health Data Group
The National Musculoskeletal Health Data Group meets annually, organised by Arthritis UK, brings researchers, policymakers, healthcare professionals, public health leads, professional societies and patient charities together to help improve the quality, availability, relevance, and use of MSK data.
Meet our Arthritis Champions: Cross-party MPs that influence parliament on our behalf
Our Arthritis Champions are cross-party MPs who have pledged their support to help champion everyone affected by arthritis in their constituency. If your MP isn't already on the list, why not share our Arthritis Champions welcome pack and invite them to sign up?
Report: Not just a touch of arthritis
Thousands of people living with osteoarthritis are frequently left in severe pain and struggle to remain in work due to failures in their treatment.
Explore key findings as well as recommendations around a personalised approach to treatment, innovation through improved diagnosis and prevention of osteoarthritis, both before symptoms are present to prevent onset of the condition, and after people have symptoms to prevent rapid progression.
Report: Chronic Pain in England
Chronic pain has been called an invisible condition. Although often devastating to the millions who have it and being one of the biggest causes of disability in the UK, to others it cannot be seen.
Chronic pain usually refers to persistent or recurrent pain that has gone on for more than three months. High-impact chronic pain is chronic pain which is severe and where people are unable to carry out their daily activities.
Explore our report's key findings.