Over 250,000 Australians already live with ME/CFS, a debilitating post-infection disease that leaves many unable to work, housebound, bedbound, AND costs our economy over $14BN a year.
A Deakin University study suggests up to 325,000 more may develop Long COVID, described by health experts as ‘strikingly similar’ to ME/CFS in its symptoms, pathology, and devastating impact on people’s lives. That’s almost 600,000 Australians who could soon be living with post-infection disease.
75% of those diagnosed with post-infection disease are women, severely affecting their capacity to work and putting a significant strain on multi-generational family support networks.
Post-Infection Disease cannot be ignored any longer. While $31.5 million has recently been announced by the federal government to cover research into Long COVID, this is just one post-infection disease. Our health system has long struggled to diagnose, manage and create health pathways for those with ME/CFS.
A rapidly growing number of Australians and their caregivers are living severely compromised lives because of post-infection disease and many feel neglected and ignored by our health system. The federal government can not let that happen. Click on the link below to read our state of the nation report in full by clicking the link below.
Read the State of the Nation: Because people with ME/CFS matter
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We must educate doctors to diagnose ME/CFS and Long COVID and provide evidence-based support to people with these conditions. Read more
We must expand access to Telehealth to increase access to care for those who are bed and house bound. Read more
Australia’s outdated clinical guidelines must be updated to reflect internationally agreed safe and best practice care for people with ME/CFS. Read more
Australia must prepare now for the forthcoming economic, health and social impacts of Long COVID. Read more
We must push Post-Infection Disease to become the 10th National Health Priority Area (NHPA) in Australia. Read more
A Lack of Medical Knowledge on Post Infection Disease is a Clear and Present Danger to All Australians. Read more