The phrase ‘cost of living’ has been in the spotlight for the past few years. We’ve all noticed the rise in grocery and petrol prices — but there’s another side to the story that’s far more important to our wellbeing: Australia’s greatest health challenge, chronic disease.
Today, 15.4 million Australians are living with at least one chronic disease*. Among the most common are obesity and heart disease — two conditions that are closely connected. More than half of all adults (67 per cent to be precise) are currently classified as overweight or obese*.
While this weighs heavily on our healthcare system, it also highlights an opportunity: by addressing chronic disease, we can reduce strain on national resources and look to improve the quality of life for millions of Australians.
How much is the chronic disease crisis actually costing you?
It might not seem obvious at first, but there’s a clear link between these statistics and our own day-to-day lives. By understanding the real impact chronic diseases, such as obesity, have on individuals, families and communities, we can also see the many ways that improving health can create benefits — not just for wellbeing, but for our bank balances too.
1. Economical costs
Firstly, there’s the financial hit you feel directly. In Australia, healthcare costs for patients with obesity are 20-40 per cent higher than for those without the condition**. When you factor in visits to healthcare providers, pain management (including physiotherapy and other treatments), plus mental health support, the expenses quickly add up on top of what Medicare is already covering.
Overall, 60 per cent of general practitioner visits in the past 12 months involved chronic diseases, and almost one in six Australians (around 4.1 million people) claimed a Chronic Disease Management plan^. These are dollars leaving your bank balance, as well as resources stretched across the community.
2. Quality of life
The hidden cost you can’t put a price on. Beyond the statistics, obesity affects the way we live day to day and the ripple effect extends well beyond the individual.
Sleep disturbances are common, leading to fatigue, reduced productivity, and mood changes.
Mental health often takes a hit too, with higher rates of anxiety and depression linked to obesity.
These challenges can impact relationships, work, and community participation, creating both a personal and social cost.
The implications for future generations are particularly sobering. Health and Wellbeing Queensland (2022) warns that without urgent action, a child born in Queensland in 2023 could lose up to five years of life expectancy due to rising obesity rates#. That’s not just a statistic, it’s years of experiences, milestones, and memories potentially lost.
3. Your overall health
This is a long-term cost to your body. Obesity is not only a chronic disease in its own right, it’s also the leading risk factor for more than 200 metabolic, functional and psychosocial complications. The risks are stark: it’s associated with a 55 per cent increased likelihood of developing Type 2 Diabetes and a 51 per cent increased likelihood of cardiovascular disease##.
The links between these conditions are complex. Impaired insulin signalling, metabolic dysfunction, and chronic inflammation work together to create a vicious cycle – one that not only fuels the progression of existing illnesses but also increases the risk of developing others.
This means chronic diseases tend to cluster, a pattern known as multimorbidity+, compounding the toll on your health, your quality of life, and the healthcare system as a whole.
While change isn’t always easy, removing stigma and shifting the conversation opens the door to practical, empowering solutions — from integrated, person-centred strategies to a stronger focus on prevention, early detection and coordinated care at every stage of life.
You can find out more about this in the recording of our virtual event: Catch Up With The Weekly on the subject of hormone health and weight loss. Watch it here.
Sources:
*Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Australia’s health 2024 in brief. **Lee C, Brandon G, Nortoft E, Shaw J, Magliano D, Colagiuri S. The cost of diabetes and obesity in Australia. Journal of Medical Economics. 2018; 21(10):1001-1005. doi:10.1080/13696998.2018.1497641 ^Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Australia’s health 2024: data insights. Australian Bureau of Statistics. Patient Experiences. ABS. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-services/patient-experiences/latest-release. #Health and Wellbeing Queensland. Annual report 2023-2024: Health and Wellbeing Queensland 2024. ## World Health Organization (WHO). International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD). ICD-11 ed. WHO; 2024. McKinsey. The obesity crisis. The Cairo Review of Global Affairs. 2015. The Obesity Collective. Obesity in Australia: A Time for Action. 2024. Yuen M, Earle r, Kadambi N, et al. A systematic review and evaluation of current evidence reveals 236 obesity-associated disorders [Poster T-P-3166]. Obesity Week 2016. +Akugizibwe R, Calderon-Larranaga A, Roso-Llorach A, et al. Multiborbidity Patterns and Unplanned Hospitalisation in a Cohort of Older Adults J Clin Med. 2020;9(12)doi: 10.3390/jcm9124001. Chowdhury SR, Das DC, Sunn TC, Beyene J, Hossain A. Global and regional prevalence of multimorbidity in the adult population in community settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis. eClinicalMedicine. 2023/8// 2023;57:101860. doi:10.1016/jeclinm.2023.101860.
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