Why MSK matters
Musculoskeletal (MSK) health is fundamental to how we live, work and age well.
Good MSK health enables people to remain independent, stay in work, participate in family and community life and maintain their overall wellbeing. Poor MSK health limits these opportunities and contributes significantly to reduced healthy life expectancy.
MSK conditions are closely linked with many other long term conditions, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, frailty and mental health challenges. Improving MSK health is therefore one of the most effective ways to improve overall population health.
Improving MSK health is not a niche clinical issue. It is fundamental to achieving national ambitions on prevention, neighbourhood health, economic growth and healthy ageing.
With over 20 million people affected, improving MSK health is one of the biggest opportunities to increase healthy life expectancy, reduce inequalities and build a healthier, more productive nation.
Despite their scale and impact, MSK conditions are often overlooked in national policy. Yet improving MSK health is essential to:
- Increasing healthy life expectancy
- Reducing health inequalities
- Supporting economic participation
- Reducing pressure on the NHS and social care.
Overlook MSK health and people lose independence — and the whole country pays the price.
Improving MSK health requires coordinated action across prevention, healthcare, workplaces and communities. ARMA works with partners across the MSK community to support better policy, stronger services and improved outcomes.
Explore our policy priorities to see where we are working to drive change.