The report highlighted that 179,420 Australians are living with IBD in 2025. The incidence of IBD is increasing globally, and the growth in Australia is outpacing similar nations. In contrast to other chronic conditions, IBD disproportionately impacts young people and working age Australians, having significant impacts on the ability to undertake or complete education, participate in the workforce, and enjoy social connectedness.
Living with the burden of IBD takes a huge toll on Australians. The report detailed that 70% of people with IBD are experiencing fatigue and/or brain fog, 48% are experiencing anxiety and/or depression, 31% are experiencing insomnia, and there is poor access to multidisciplinary care for people to receive the care that they need. There are also long times to diagnosis, with more than one in three people waiting over a year to receive a diagnosis. Once diagnosed, 41% of people took more than 5 years to get their symptoms under control. IBD-related expenses are significant, with the out-of-pocket cost for individuals estimated to be $5,900 per person per year. IBD also has significant health, economic, and social costs to Australia, equating to $7.8 billion in 2025. Without any action taken, the economic burden of IBD in Australia will be $77.9 billion over 10 years.
To achieve significant change and ensure people have equitable access to best practice, integrated care, the top 3 priorities for implementation by 2030 include:
- Improving access to multi-disciplinary care,
- Improving access to novel therapies, and
- Investing in IBD research.
CCA hopes to use the new data presented in the report to support increased investment by government and funders to address the gaps in IBD health care.
Contact: [email protected]
Overview
CCA has led a project to update estimates of the IBD incidence and prevalence in Australia, as well as quantify the financial and social burden of IBD. Understanding the prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and its burden on the Australian community is essential to the improvement in quality, equity and access to services for people living with these chronic inflammatory gut conditions.
The objectives of the project are to:
- Research IBD incidence and prevalence data to update national IBD estimates in Australia and its states and territories for 2024.
- Provide projections of prevalence of IBD in Australia and its states and territories for 10 years.
- Estimate the cost of IBD related healthcare and other financial costs.
- Describe the burden of disease of IBD in Australia including disability impact.
- Identify priority actions and conduct cost – benefit analysis.
The IBD State of the Nation Project has commenced and will see a multidisciplinary advisory committee led by A/Prof Gregory Moore come together to oversee the project. CCA has engaged economics consultancy, Insight Economics, to provide highly specialised expertise in this data driven project.
The project includes a comprehensive national survey exploring the out-of-pocket costs experienced by people living with IBD. Over 600 people have completed the survey, providing important insights into patients’ and carers’ experience in the health system, the financial burden IBD places on households, and the impact of IBD on peoples’ income, education, schooling, and social life. The survey also asked people living with IBD to share their views on future policy priorities for government.
The IBD State of the Nation Report is due to be released early 2025. CCA hopes to use the new data to support increased investment by government and funders to address the gaps in IBD health care.
Contact: [email protected]
Advisory Committee
- A/Prof Gregory Moore
- Julie Weldon
- Kelly Lambert
- A/Prof Edward Giles
- A/Prof Rob Bryant
- A/Prof Simon Knowles
- Prof Antonina Mikocka-Walus
- Dr Emma Halmos
- Ruth Malcolm
- Daniel Lightowler
- Dr Hugh Giddings
- A/Prof Jane Smith
- Bruce Goodwin
- Prof Paul Pavli
- Prof Jane Andrews
- Blake Tierney
- Rose Mitchell
- Leanne Raven
- Wayne Massuger
Sponsors
This project is support by the generosity of CCA donors and:
Gold Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
