Teppo Järvinen contributes to global osteoarthritis policy roadmap published in The Lancet

A major international Health Policy paper published in The Lancet calls for a fundamental shift in how health systems recognise, prevent, and manage osteoarthritis (OA).

Led by Professors Andrew Briggs (Curtin University), Lyn March and David Hunter (Sydney Musculoskeletal Research Centre, Kolling Institute, University of Sydney), Australia, the paper brings together experts from 18 countries, including FICEBO's Teppo Järvinen.

Osteoarthritis currently affects approximately 600 million people worldwide, with that number projected to approach one billion by 2050. Despite this enormous burden, OA remains under-recognised in national health policies and poorly integrated into healthcare systems.

The authors propose three priorities for action:

1.    Recognise OA as a major public health challenge, supported by better surveillance and explicit inclusion in national health policies.

2.    Improve access to high-value, person-centred care, integrating evidence-based OA management into primary care and chronic disease services.

3.    Strengthen prevention, particularly by addressing excess bodyweight and joint injuries.

The paper represents the culmination of several years of international collaboration and provides a roadmap for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and health systems worldwide.

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Read the open-access article:

Briggs AM, et al. Strengthening health systems toprioritise, provide care, and prevent osteoarthritis: a roadmap for globalhealth policy. The Lancet. 2026.

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