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Gout highlights significant health inequalities in New Zealand. Māori and Pacific peoples face higher genetic risk, earlier onset and greater severity, with more frequent pain and complications. Clinical writer Noni Richards explains how early detection and preventive treatment are essential to reduce this burden. 

Historically, rheumatoid arthritis was a major cause of chronic pain, disability, loss of independence and even reduced life expectancy. With the widespread use of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, it is now a very treatable chronic disease with a life expectancy and quality of life approaching that of the general population

Linda Bryant discusses gout, a chronic long-term condition that is often associated with other diseases, and drug-related morbidity and mortality. As such, gout needs to be addressed holistically as part of the psychosocial medical model

Occupational health expert David McBride looks at the association between occupation and rheumatoid arthritis, and highlights the lungs as an initial site of inflammation and autoimmunity