Chronic Pain Costs - Individual and Society

July 28, 2022, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

Who suffers from chronic pain

Chronic pain impacts nearly 8 million people in Canada. Many of them report it affects some or most of their daily activities. It impacts one in five children and youth which can affect their whole life trajectory. It is more common in as we age, and the older the population of Canada gets the more common chronic pain will be. Despite its prevalence and the amount of money spent on chronic pain treatment those living with chronic pain face significant barriers to adequate care, support, and employment.

Chronic pain disproportionately affects those who are older, living in poverty, living with mental health and substance use disorders, people working in the trades and transportation industries, Veterans, Indigenous Peoples, select ethnic and racial communities, sexually and gender diverse individuals, people with disabilities, women and those with past trauma.

Untreated pain results in poor outcomes

Untreated pain can result in poor outcomes not only for the patient but also for their families and communities. Chronic pain is usually invisible leaving many who suffer from it feeling stigmatized and disbelieved. It can be exhausting as it impacts sleep, physical and cognitive health, and social relationships. In children, untreated chronic pain is associated with poor academic, developmental, and social outcomes.

What are the impacts of Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain has an enormous strain on the economy and the individual. According to Health Canada the total health care (direct) and lost production (indirect) cost of chronic pain in 2019 was approximately $40 billion. The direct costs for chronic pain represent over 10% of the total health expenditures by the province in healthcare.

Chronic pain’s reach can be reduced

Improving surgical techniques, injury prevention and trauma management, correct pain management in the peri-operative period, and appropriate management and prevention of comorbidities are crucial to the reduction of the total number of people with chronic pain. Simple societal shifts including encouraging increasing exercise, losing weight, a healthier population, better built environments, improved sleep, and improving mental supports, and drug/alcohol use disorder supports also will significantly reduce the occurrence of chronic pain.

Chronic pain results from many serious traumatic injuries. If you or a loved one have been seriously injured in a car or other accident please contact one of our experienced personal injury lawyers for a free initial consultation. We are here to help you protect your future. You don’t have to face your situation alone. Call us today 1.866.414.4878

About Deutschmann Law

Deutschmann Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.deutschmannlaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.

It is important that you review your accident benefit file with one of our experienced personal injury / car accident lawyers to ensure that you obtain access to all your benefits which include, but are limited to, things like physiotherapy, income replacement benefits, vocational retraining and home modifications.