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A new report has found that the total economic impact of incontinence last year reached a staggering $100.4 billion.
The Deloitte Access Economics report, commissioned by the Continence Foundation of Australia, revealed that in 2023, $66.6 billion was spent in direct health costs and a further $33.8 billion in lost wellbeing for those living with the condition.
Over 7.2 million Australians are affected by incontinence, of which over 65 per cent are women. The condition is particularly prevalent in aged care homes where over 70 per cent of residents experience some level of incontinence.
Despite this, according to Dr Gian Sberna, CEO of the Continence Foundation, the condition is not talked about enough.
“Our own consumer survey in 2023 backs up the absence of routine data collection with a third of the respondents who hadn’t discussed the issue with a health professional saying they could be encouraged to do so if the professional raised it or if relevant information was displayed," Dr Sberna said.
"Despite many people avoiding conversations about incontinence, they just need to be encouraged to talk about it to ensure positive outcomes. With the right support, we can improve the lives of millions of Australians and reduce the enormous economic and social costs associated with incontinence.”
Picture: Supplied
Netballer Kimberley Smith is best known for her sporting prowess. Competing as an elite athlete since her teens, Kimberley represented her country in as part of the Australian Diamonds Squad. She had also experienced incontinence for 10 years before she sought help and is now helping create awareness for the condition.
Picture: Supplied
“I first noticed I was experiencing incontinence during particularly hard training sessions when I would leak. I didn’t think much about it at the time – I just assumed it was normal and a sign I was pushing my body too far. Now I realise that many young female athletes experience incontinence long before pregnancy and childbirth," she said.
“Incontinence can really impact your mental and emotional health, as well as limit your ability to participate in certain areas of life.
“I think when seeking help with incontinence, it’s really important to know that help is available.”
The Continence Foundation of Australia believes that incontinence is under-recognised and under-reported. The Deloitte report contains some surprising statistics, which may challenge long held societal misconceptions about the condition. For example, Deloitte reveals that, like Kimberley, 71 per cent of people affected are aged 65 and younger.
Dr Sberna wants to see proactive measures in place to address the significant burden on individuals and the economy.
“In the first instance, we have an ageing population so there are certain realities of an older cohort that make them more susceptible to incontinence, but, interestingly, there seems to be a significant number of people who are coming forward for diagnosis and treatment that are younger," he said.
"Our own research, and feedback from practitioners, indicate that the stigma around incontinence is decreasing and that supportive friends and family are playing a huge role in people seeking treatment, with open and honest dialogue about their health concerns and conditions.”
It is predicted that by 2032 there will be 8.6 million Australians living with incontinence – that's 34.1 per cent of the population. As the number of people experiencing incontinence grows, former AFL footballer Robert DiPierdomenico (Dipper) doesn't want to see others make the same mistake he did and delay seeking help.
“A couple of years ago, I first started noticing that I was weeing a lot more and thought I might be in a bit of trouble here but, like a typical male, I initially ignored it. Then the pain started, and I thought, right, this is something serious, and I need to get help," he said.
Dipper was diagnosed with urinary retention, a condition in which the bladder doesn't fully empty and on that is common among men with an enlarged prostate.
“As soon as I found out what it was, I felt relieved because now there was a plan behind it," he said.
“Knowing that a lot of people, especially men, have this problem and that it can be fixed is important. You just need to identify the problem and get it fixed.”
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