A national call to action: Why incontinence is costing Australia billions

Incontinence is a health condition that affects millions of people living in Australia, yet it remains largely under-reported and under-recognised. A new report by Deloitte, commissioned by the Continence Health Australia, has cast a powerful spotlight on this issue, revealing the staggering economic and social costs it places on our nation. The report, a follow-up to a 2011 study, provides a much-needed update on the prevalence and costs associated with incontinence in the adult population of Australia.

The figures are striking. In 2023, the total cost of incontinence to Australia was an estimated $66.6 billion in financial costs and an additional $33.8 billion in lost wellbeing. This brings the total economic cost to over $100 billion, a significant increase of 57% since the last national study in 2010.

A common misconception is that incontinence primarily affects the elderly. However, the Deloitte report shatters this myth with some compelling data. It is estimated that 7.2 million Australians aged 15 and over are affected by some degree of urinary and/or faecal incontinence. While prevalence rates do increase with age, a majority of people with incontinence are in the working-age population. In fact, 71% of individuals living with incontinence are aged 65 or younger. The average age for men and women experiencing incontinence is 51 years. This highlights that the condition is a major public health problem affecting Australians from all walks of life.

The financial burden is multi-faceted and extends far beyond direct health expenditure. The largest component of the cost is attributed to lost productivity, amounting to $53.9 billion in 2023. This is due to a combination of factors, including reduced employment, absenteeism, and presenteeism (reduced productivity at work). The report found that productivity losses from people with incontinence and their informal carers represent the largest cost component.

Other financial costs identified in the report include:

• Health system costs: $2.6 billion, which includes hospital inpatient costs, non-admitted patient costs, and other health services like visits to general practitioners, allied health, and mental health professionals.
• Aids and equipment: $705.8 million, with a majority of this being funded out-of-pocket by individuals.
• Residential and formal care: $435.4 million for residential aged care and $70.3 million for formal home care.

The report also highlights the significant loss of wellbeing experienced by those living with the condition, which accounts for $33.8 billion of the total cost. The Deloitte survey, conducted to supplement the report's findings, revealed that 13% of respondents had seen a mental health professional for issues related to their incontinence. The total loss of healthy life years due to incontinence was estimated at 145,933 in 2023, reflecting an average reduction in wellbeing of 2% per person with the condition.

Despite the clear and urgent need for action, the report notes that there are significant gaps in data collection and research. Incontinence is often poorly documented in clinical records, and there is a lack of contemporary information on the availability and scope of services. This is particularly true for vulnerable populations such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, multicultural groups, and LGBTQIA+ people, for whom data on prevalence and needs is severely lacking.

The Continence Health Australia, which commissioned the report, is calling for immediate action. With the prevalence of incontinence projected to rise to 8.6 million people by 2032, there is an urgent imperative to ensure that investment in continence care is commensurate with the scale of the challenge. The report underscores the need for proactive measures, comprehensive support, and increased awareness to manage the growing burden of incontinence on individuals and society as a whole.

Rentokil Initial Australia is proud to announce a new partnership with Continence Health Australia, a collaboration that marks a significant step towards creating more inclusive and dignified washroom facilities across the country. This partnership aims to tackle the silent issue of incontinence, which affects 2.4 million Australian men and boys. Building on a proven track record of normalising menstrual dignity in Australian workplaces, Initial Hygiene (part of Rentokil Initial) is striving to become a national leader in washroom dignity, working with businesses to address the hygiene needs of men with incontinence in a respectful and impactful way.

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For Australians needing support, the National Continence Helpline (1800 33 00 66) is a free and confidential service staffed by Nurse Continence Specialists. It operates Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm. The helpline provides information, advice, and support to anyone in Australia affected by incontinence, including resources and information on local services and funding schemes. 

Additionally, for people on the move, the National Public Toilet Map is a free website and app showing the location of nearly 25,000 public and private toilet facilities across Australia. Funded by the Australian Government as part of the National Continence Program, it provides details on accessibility, opening hours, and other features like sharps disposal and baby change facilities.