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. 2025 Mar 4;12(2):100233.
doi: 10.1016/j.fhj.2025.100233. eCollection 2025 Jun.

Low back pain: the forgotten public health epidemic

Catriona Caruana  1 , Stephan Grech  1 , Sarah Cuschieri  2   3
Affiliations

Low back pain: the forgotten public health epidemic

Catriona Caruana et al. Future Healthc J. .

Abstract

Low back pain (LBP) is a global public health concern, resulting in significant healthcare utilisation and economic losses. The rise in LBP cases, particularly following lifestyle changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic, is seen as a pressing issue. Contributing factors such as obesity, sedentary behaviour and psychosocial stressors are frequently highlighted. In the context of future healthcare, it is argued that evidence-based management strategies, including clinical guidelines and rehabilitation services, must be prioritised. The integration of primary care with community-based support is essential to reduce unnecessary referrals to specialised care. Future healthcare systems will need to adopt more proactive approaches, emphasising prevention, early intervention and patient education. Addressing LBP effectively will not only reduce the current burden, but also help build resilient healthcare models capable of managing chronic conditions more efficiently. The focus on LBP in public health agendas is crucial for shaping a more sustainable and effective future healthcare landscape.

Keywords: Low back pain; Public health.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

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