Chronic wounds should be one of Australia’s National Health Priority Areas

Abstract

Chronic wounds are a poorly recognised chronic disease that cause pain and suffering and cost the Australian healthcare system A$2.85 billion dollars per annum. Unlike the highly profiled and relatively well-funded chronic diseases that comprise the Australian National Health Priority Areas, chronic wounds remain a largely hidden and poorly supported problem in the Australian community. This perspective article proposes that one approach to generate action to reduce the burden of chronic wounds is to better articulate the relationship between chronic wounds and the Australian National Health Priority Areas, and to establish a profile of chronic wounds as a chronic disease of national significance in its own right. This approach has the potential to raise awareness of the significance of chronic wounds and garner support from the public, healthcare sector, research funders and policy makers to improve the outcomes for people who are living with or at risk of developing this condition and to potentially reduce expenditure in this area.