As the global population is living longer, musculoskeletal (MSK) disease and injury is on the rise. Age-related bone degeneration has a detrimental impact on quality of life with decreased independence due to increased falls and fractures, as well as due to associated co-morbidities. For example, the number of hip fractures is expected to rise to 6.3 million by 2050 and the number of diabetic lower limb amputations has now risen to 7,000 per year in the UK and over 70,000 in the USA. The prevalence and impact of MSK conditions are not equal across populations or within communities. Evidence now shows that MSK conditions are linked to gender, age, race and ethnicity. Preclinical sex bias also exists within skeletal research which may compound societal health inequalities linked to gender (Sharma et al; 2023). Further, deprivation is directly linked to MSK health inequalities. where people in deprived areas are more likely to have a long term MSK condition and experience, receive inadequate care and have overall worse clinical outcomes and quality of life.

In partnership with FortisNet, an interdisciplinary group of MSK researchers who are members of the Institute of Life Sciences at the University of Southampton., this Theme aims to bring data scientists and interdisciplinary MSK researchers and stakeholders together to more effectively understand and tackle health and inequity. By combining expertise in regenerative medicine, physiology, engineering, orthopaedics, prosthetics and orthotics, rehabilitation and assistive technologies, epidemiology pre-clinical research clinical trial design and global health, this Theme aims to improve lives by delivering improved treatments, increasing the speed to market of musculoskeletal-focused technology. The Theme will also provide opportunities to form and grow new working partnerships across clinical, academic, industrial, as well as community stakeholders.