One in six Australians suffer from arthritis and osteoporosis, says Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

The report, Arthritis and osteoporosis in Australia 2008, examines the 'big issues' in arthritis and osteoporosis - issues such as disability, falls and fractures, treatment and management.

Arthritis affects about 3.3 million Australians, including more than one-third of people aged 65 or over and more than half of those aged 85 years or over.

According to the report the most common form, osteoarthritis, affects over 1.3 million Australians or more than six per cent of the population - up to one in three people over the age of 85 - and is one of the top 10 problems managed by GPs.

Almost 2.7 million Medicare-paid GP consultations in 2007-08 included management of osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (which is almost twice as common in females as it is in males) affects almost 400,000 Australians.

Parental reports suggest that over 2,000 Australian children - mostly girls - have been diagnosed with juvenile arthritis. A similar number of parents report children with symptoms of arthritis but no formal diagnosis.

Use of medications such as analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs and anti-rheumatic drugs is the most common management strategy for arthritis. In addition to GPs, allied health and complementary practitioners play an important role in improving and maintaining body structure and function.

Regular physical activity, a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding repetitive joint-loading tasks (such as kneeling, squatting and heavy lifting) can help to prevent or delay the onset of osteoarthritis.