- Chronic inflammation, known as “inflammageing”, is a slow, persistent biological process that can build over time.
- Inflammageing is increasingly recognised as a driver of long-term disease.
- Australia spends more than $270 billion annually on health, representing more than 10 per cent of GDP.
- Chronic conditions account for an estimated nine in 10 deaths nationwide and continue to drive the majority of hospital demand.
- Nearly half of Australian adults are living with at least one chronic condition.
- More than 80 per cent of Australians aged 65 and over are managing at least one chronic condition, and around half are living with multiple conditions.
- Older Australians account for more than 40 per cent of hospitalisations nationally, with demand expected to increase as the population ages.
- Dr Gugasyan says inflammation is part of the body’s normal immune response, but it can be accelerated in some people.
- Lifestyle factors including nutrition, sleep and physical activity, such as strength and conditioning exercises, can support immune health and help reduce inflammatory burden over time.
Broadcast-quality video featuring Burnet Institute’s Dr Raffi Gugasyan is available for media use, explaining how chronic, low-level inflammation may be contributing to faster ageing and the growing burden of chronic disease in Australia.
Australia now spends more than $270 billion annually on health, representing more than 10 per cent of GDP. Yet chronic conditions account for an estimated nine in 10 deaths nationwide and continue to drive the majority of hospital demand.
One important contributor is chronic inflammation known as “inflammageing” – a slow, persistent biological process that can build over time and is increasingly recognised as a driver of long-term disease.
This process is linked to the onset and progression of conditions including respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular disease and immune related conditions such as multiple sclerosis.
In the video, Dr Gugasyan, Burnet’s Head of Diagnostic Markers and Chronic Immune Disorders, explains that inflammation is part of the body’s normal immune response, but it can be accelerated in some people, including those who already have other ongoing health conditions.
“As we age, inflammation accumulates,” Dr Gugasyan said.
“Although it is a slow process, unfortunately, in some individuals this process is accelerated, and it’s these individuals that live with what we call comorbidities, or individuals that live with diabetes complications, or heart disease.”
The scale of the issue is significant. Nearly half of Australian adults are living with at least one chronic condition. More than 80 per cent of Australians aged 65 and over are managing at least one chronic condition, and around half are living with multiple conditions. Older Australians also account for more than 40 per cent of hospitalisations nationally, with demand expected to increase as the population ages.
Dr Gugasyan said the figures highlight the need to better understand the underlying processes that drive chronic disease, rather than only responding once illness has already developed.
“So, can we link inflammation to other diseases? We can,” Dr Gugasyan said.
“I think the evidence is now conclusive. Many investigators have looked at the contribution of inflammation to chronic disease.”
In the video, Dr Gugasyan explains that lifestyle factors including nutrition, sleep and physical activity such as strength and conditioning exercises can play an important role in supporting immune health and reducing inflammatory burden over time.
“Ultimately, the important things to consider are diet, exercise and sleep,” he said.
“These are the important parameters that maintain a healthy lifestyle.”
Burnet researchers are working to better understand how chronic inflammation develops, how it contributes to disease, and whether earlier warning signs can be identified before symptoms appear, including through biomarkers that may detect when inflammation is becoming harmful and beginning to drive disease.
“Creating awareness is paramount to ultimately support a quality of life,” Dr Gugasyan said.
“We’d like to understand that process better. We’d like to identify the key biomarkers to say enhanced inflammation is driving disease.”
Dr Gugasyan said the goal was not only to help people live longer, but to support better quality of life as they age.
Broadcast-quality video is available for media use and can be downloaded here: https://burnet.canto.global/b/I006L
Dr Gugasyan is also available for interview.
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