Cerebral palsy is an umbrella term for a group of disorders of movement and posture, that arise from injury or mal-development of the brain in a baby or infant. The condition can impact mobility, sensation, cognition, communication, vision, and behaviours or health events (such as seizures). There is no cure – it is a lifelong condition.

This report highlights the significant economic impact of the condition to Australia. It also demonstrates that a stronger focus on reducing the severity of this condition, or reducing its prevalence, would make a material difference for our economy and in the day-to-day lives of people with cerebral palsy and their families.

• Over 35,000 Australians were living with cerebral palsy in 2018, with a total cost to the economy of $5.2 billion, or over $145,000 per person with the condition.
• Of total costs, wellbeing losses were valued at $2.15 billion (41%), productivity losses were $1.29 billion (25%) including informal care, disability support services were $1.12 billion (22%) and efficiency losses at $0.55 billion (11%).
• Health system costs comprised only 1% of total costs ($62 million).
• Future projections were also estimated in the analysis.

Published: March 2020