Musculoskeletal Health SIG

MSK programme vision

The MSK SIG aims to be a community of experts and practitioners in musculoskeletal (MSK) public health.  We will support the work of the Faculty in relation to MSK health, and champion continued learning, advocacy, a focus on inequalities and collaborative working with other organisations on MSK research, education, policy and practice across the four nations of the UK.

Musculoskeletal conditions are a global public health problem affecting the bones, joints, muscles and spine. They may be broadly grouped as inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, conditions of MSK pain such as osteoarthritis of the hip or knee and back or neck pain, and osteoporosis and fragility fractures. They are the greatest cause of disability worldwide and in the UK and are costly for health services.

Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions affect over 14.9 million people nationally, many of whom have symptoms of pain, stiffness, limited movement, and disability affecting their quality of life and independence leading to approximately 20% of the general population consulting a GP annually. MSK conditions are the leading cause of years lived with disability and the third largest cause of disability adjusted life years (DALYs) in the UK today. There is an association with a large number of co-morbidities, including depression and obesity. If we fail to take action, our ageing population, rising obesity rates and reduced levels of physical activity will continue to increase the prevalence of MSK conditions.

Many major MSK conditions can be avoided, or their symptoms reduced, by staying active, maintaining a healthy weight with a balanced diet throughout the life course, supported by a work place that promotes MSK health.

The MSK Health SIG provides a forum for public health specialists practitioners, clinicians, academics and commissioners within the wider public health system, and the SIG aims to do the following:

1. Raise the profile of the MSK SIG within the FPH and externally with key MSK partners through bringing conversations about MSK health into other SIGs and by linking up the MSK SIG to other networks outside of FPH to have a greater voice
2. Influence research priorities related to MSK health from both a professional perspective as well as advocating for public/ patient voice
3. Influence evidence-based changes in policy and practice to reflect the impact of MSK conditions at a population level on people’s health and wellbeing, and the consequences for the NHS and the wider system
4. Enable MSK SIG members to share learning of progress and challenges as well as identifying opportunities to invite subject matter experts to present to the SIG to develop the SIG’s understanding of MSK health

Recent work

FPH Response to the APPG inquiry on Osteoporosis and Bone Health 

FPH welcomes the APPG’s review into the osteoporosis treatment gap and notes that closing the osteoporosis treatment gap will not only prevent fractures and save lives – it will also reduce pressure on overstretched NHS and social care services and support healthy, independent ageing across all communities. FPH urges the APPG to recommend sustainable reforms, and a stronger focus on prevention and inequality. By investing in bone health today, we can secure a healthier, more independent ageing population for the future. 

Read the response

Further information on MSK health and wellbeing

If you or a colleague are interested in finding out more, please contact the SIG co-chairs, Ben Ellis: benjamin.ellis@nhs.net and Amrita Jesurasa: Amrita.Jesurasa@wales.nhs.uk. 

Join the MSK SIG

FPH members can join this SIG by logging into their FPH members’ portal account, selecting the ‘Committees/SIGs’ button and choosing the correct SIG. You will then be asked to provide a few details, following which your application will be automatically approved. Further details on FPH membership are available here.

Workplan 

View the MSK SIG's workplan for 2025 below.