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Medical Health Aged Care

New research uncovers how Australians choose to treat and manage pain

Haleon ANZ 3 mins read
  • New research released this National Pain Week (22 July – 28 July 2024) shows that majority of Australians choose paracetamol when it comes to treating their everyday pain.1
  • Paracetamol is generally well tolerated, it is suitable for use by 98% of Australian adults, without the need to seek medical advice.2
  • In 2023, 93% of Australians reported suffering from everyday pain like headaches, menstrual pain, joint pain and more.3
  • Pain is an important health issue, and when left untreated can impact a person’s ability to work, move, sleep and or maintain social and family interactions.4

 

Tuesday 23 July 2024, Sydney, Australia: New research released this National Pain Week (22 July – 28 July 2024) sheds light on how Australians choose to manage their pain.

 

In 2023, 93% of Australians reported suffering from everyday pain and of those 43% said they experienced this pain daily.3

 

The new research, commissioned by Haleon Australia, asked over 1,000 Australian adults how they manage their pain and importantly why they choose certain pain management strategies. The results showed that when treating and managing everyday pain:1

  • 72% of Australians say paracetamol is their first choice for pain relief.
  • 78% of Australians typically use paracetamol.
  • 7% of Australians choose to not use any pain relief products at all, preferring to wait it out.

 

Of the Australians who say paracetamol is their first choice for treating pain:1

  • 67% said it was because paracetamol is suitable for a range of different pain types.
  • 53% said it was because they trusted paracetamol to relieve their pain.
  • 37% said it was because paracetamol is suitable for most ages.

 

The research highlights the fundamental role paracetamol plays in pain management strategies in Australia, with over 70% of Australians naming it as their first choice for everyday pain relief. It also found that trust, suitability and efficacy are important factors that determine how we choose to treat pain.

 

Pain not only takes a physical toll on individuals but also an emotional toll too, as many people who experience pain report a lower quality of life and higher levels of social isolation.3

 

The research also explored themes around accessibility of pain relief, indicating that 93% of Australians believe it is important to be able to purchase paracetamol and 77% saying they would be worried about managing their pain if accessibility was limited.1

 

Elena Pintado, Head of Pain at Haleon ANZ, says, “pain is a serious health issue that impacts millions of Australians on a daily basis. At Haleon we believe that by understanding more about how Australians choose to treat their pain and why, we can help ensure that all Australians have access to a range of pain relief options, strategies and plans that are right for them.

 

Over the counter analgesics should not be used for more than a few days. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. Incorrect use could be harmful. if pain persists it is important to consult a healthcare professional.

 

ABOUT THE SURVEY

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 1,037 adults, of which 1,031 agreed to participate. Fieldwork was undertaken between 6th - 10th June 2024. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all Australian adults (aged 18+).

 

ABOUT HALEON

Haleon (LSE / NYSE: HLN) is a global leader in consumer health, with a purpose to deliver better everyday health with humanity. Haleon’s product portfolio spans five major categories - Oral Health, Pain Relief, Respiratory Health, Digestive Health and Other, and Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements (VMS). Its long-standing brands are built on trusted science, innovation and deep human understanding.

 

REFERENCES

  1. Attitudes to pain management in Australia. Conducted by YouGov on behalf of Haleon. Fieldwork was undertaken online between 6th - 10th June 2024.  The figures have been weighted and are representative of all Australian adults (aged 18+).
  2. Geoffrey D Clarke, Ian M Adams, Fiona M Dunagan, Using suitability profiles to better inform consumers' choice of commonly used over-the-counter analgesics, International Journal of Pharmacy Practice, Volume 16, Issue 5, October 2008, Pages 333–336. Accessed June 2024. Accessible at: https://doi.org/10.1211/ijpp.16.5.0009
  3. Haleon Global Pain Index. 2023. Data on file.
  4. Chronic Pain Australia. Resources, About Chronic Pain. Accessed June 2024. Accessible at: https://chronicpainaustralia.org.au/resources/#aboutchronicpain

Contact details:

Ellen Hahn

Account Manager

Palin Communications

0414 674 743

ellen@palin.com.au

Anna Barnewell

Senior Account Executive

Palin Communications

0447 136 767

anna@palin.com.au

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