Pain Foundation Ltd - Australia

24/07/2026

This , Pain Foundation Limited is calling on Australians to recognise as one of the nation’s most significant yet overlooked health challenges with the opportunity to raise awareness, challenge misconceptions and advocate for better support for the millions of Australians whose lives are affected by persistent pain.

Nearly 1 in 5 Australians lives with chronic pain, affecting every aspect of life, from employment and to , and participation in the community. Despite its widespread impact, people living with pain continue to face misunderstanding, delayed diagnosis and barriers to accessing effective multidisciplinary care.

More than 3.6 million Australians now live with chronic pain, and national data shows 7 in 10 say they feel ignored when it comes to their pain. Access remains a critical barrier: only around 1 in 100 Australians living with chronic pain can currently access multidisciplinary pain management, despite it being the most effective approach to care.

The economic toll is just as stark. Chronic pain already costs the Australian economy an estimated $139.3 billion a year in health system spending, lost productivity and reduced quality of life, a figure projected to climb to $215.6 billion by 2050 as the population ages, unless access to effective, affordable care improves.

“Chronic pain is far more than a symptom, it is a complex medical condition that can profoundly affect every aspect of a person's life,” said Professor Paul Glare AM, Pain Medicine Specialist and Board Director of Pain Foundation Limited.

“People living with persistent pain deserve timely access to evidence-based care, compassion from healthcare providers and a health system that recognises the significant physical, emotional and economic burden of chronic pain.”

Professor Glare, who recently discussed pain on Northern Sydney Local Health District's Tomorrow's Medicine Today podcast why pain can persist long after an injury has healed: https://www.nslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/Research/Pages/Tomorrows-medicine-today-podcast.aspx

“Too many Australians are suffering in silence,” said Julie Toma, Board Director of Pain Foundation Limited.

“National Pain Week reminds us that pain is real, even when it cannot be seen. By backing the national push to make chronic pain a health priority and improving access to evidence-based care, we can help people regain quality of life and participate more fully in their families, workplaces and communities.”

You can help support important work leading innovative research, clinical treatment, education and advocacy. Help conquer pain by donating at https://painfoundation.org.au/

Australia; Deloitte Access Economics | ; AIHW; Medicine and Health - University of Sydney, Kolling Institute

24/06/2026

Rebecca thought her future was over. You can help others like her.
Your EOFY donation can fund vital pain research before 30 June.

"I spent six months in a wheelchair. Today, I'm helping others live active lives."

At just 14 years old, Rebecca's life changed in an instant.
A gymnastics accident left her with a fractured spine and relentless pain. Over the following years, the pain worsened. She was prescribed powerful medications, admitted to hospital, and eventually confined to a wheelchair.

"I couldn't walk 10 metres without pain. From being active and outgoing, I became withdrawn and depressed. I felt like my life had been put on hold."

Then Rebecca found the Pain Management Research Institute (PMRI).

Through evidence-based treatment, education and support, she learned how to manage her pain, rebuild her strength and reclaim her future.

Today, Rebecca is a university graduate, a personal trainer, and living a full and active life.

"My pain hasn't disappeared completely, but I've learned how to live with it. I'm grateful every day for the opportunity PMRI gave me."

Rebecca's story is one example of the life-changing impact made possible through research and innovation funded by supporters like you.

The challenge we face:
🔷 Chronic pain affects one in five Australians. It impacts physical health, mental wellbeing, employment, relationships and quality of life.
🔷 Yet despite its enormous personal and economic cost, many promising research projects struggle to secure funding.

Recently, three important pain research projects were unable to proceed after funding applications were unsuccessful. These projects are focused on:
🔶 New approaches to reducing chronic pain through altruism-based interventions
🔶 Preventing chronic pain following knee reconstruction surgery
🔶 Advanced mapping of brain changes associated with chronic pain

Without support from donors, these projects will be delayed.

Your EOFY gift can help

Before 30 June, your tax-deductible donation can help fund the next breakthrough in pain research and treatment.

Your support will help researchers and clinicians:
✅ Develop new treatments for chronic pain
✅ Improve access to care for people living with pain
✅ Reduce reliance on opioids and other medications
✅ Give hope to thousands of Australians like Rebecca

Please make your EOFY donation today: https://lnkd.in/gja3Zb2e

Every gift, regardless of size, brings us closer to a future where fewer Australians live with the burden of chronic pain.
Thank you for standing with us and helping to conquer pain. ❤️ 💙

31/01/2026

Pain Foundation Limited extends its heartfelt thanks to Geoffrey Verco, who retires after more than a decade of dedicated support, having been involved with the Foundation since 2012.

Geoff, together with his late wife Shaan Verco, has played a vital role in fundraising and advocating for chronic pain and pain research for over ten years. In 2025, we sadly lost Shaan, who is remembered for her warmth, enthusiasm and tireless energy.

We are deeply grateful for the lasting contribution Geoff and Shaan have made to the Pain Foundation community.

We wish Geoff all the very best in retirement and thank him for his extraordinary commitment and support.

Warren McLeland
Chair

29/01/2026

TOMORROW'S MEDICINE TODAY – DECODING PAIN IN THE BRAIN
Kolling Institute researcher Caitlin Fenech talks with James Elliott and Matthew D. about how the brain processes pain, what changes when it becomes chronic, and how understanding these circuits could transform treatment.

🧠 TOMORROWS MEDICINE TODAY – DECODING PAIN IN THE BRAIN 🧠

Chronic pain affects so many of us - but could a small network of neurons in the brain hold the key to better treatment?

PhD researcher Caitlin Fenech talks with Prof James Elliott and Dr Matthew Doane about how the brain processes pain, what changes when it becomes chronic, and how understanding these circuits could transform treatment.

🎧 Listen to this fascinating interview here: https://bit.ly/4k14owg

🎙️ Or on Spotify: https://bit.ly/4aeBoxP
Kolling InstituteNorthern Sydney Local Health DistrictSydney Health

19/12/2025

The University of Sydney has published a new article highlighting OPEN and the collective effort underway to strengthen pain education across Australia’s health workforce.

The piece features insights from Prof. Michael Nicholas and Prof. Fiona Blyth, reflecting on the challenges of pain care, the need for more consistent, evidence-based education, and the role OPEN plays in supporting clinicians to deliver contemporary, person-centred care beyond specialist settings.

💬 “Despite repeated calls for national action, OPEN represents the first real attempt to provide the same core training in basic pain management skills across all healthcare professionals and students in Australia. This will make it possible for people seeking help with their chronic pain to be able to access recommended, evidence-based help wherever they live.” — Prof. Michael Nicholas

We are also grateful for the University of Sydney’s ongoing support, including the contribution of experts who have played a significant role in shaping OPEN: Prof. Michael Nicholas, Prof. Fiona Blyth, Dr. Simone De Morgan, Dr. Duncan Sanders, Pippy Walker and A/Prof. Liz Devonshire.

Read the full article here 🔗 https://www.sydney.edu.au/medicine-health/news-and-events/news/2025/12/17/reimagining-pain-care-in-australia.html

12/12/2025