Alison Byrnes (Cunningham, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Week was 16 to 23 March. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases, yet one of the least recognised. An estimated 6,000 to 10,000 Australian children under 16 and up to 30,000 young people under 24 live with this condition. Many are diagnosed only after permanent joint damage or even loss of vision has already occurred, and 80 per cent of children experience daily pain. This disease places a heavy burden on schooling, social participation, mental health and long-term wellbeing.

The Juvenile Arthritis Foundation Australia is working to change this. Through national awareness campaigns, community events, family hangouts and the Step Together with JAFA virtual fundraiser, they are bringing attention to the early signs of juvenile arthritis and encouraging families, educators and health professionals to recognise symptoms sooner.

The Albanese Labor government has also expanded access to humira, under the PBS, to treat juvenile idiopathic arthritis, taking the price from $650 per script to just $25—a significant saving and just one way we support impacted families. By raising awareness, we can help shorten the path to diagnosis and ensure that children receive specialist care as early as possible. I acknowledge all the families in my electorate— (Time expired)