Addressing Australia’s Chronic Wound Problem
Summary: This editorial outlines Australia’s chronic wound burden (affecting 3% of population, costing $7B/year) and proposes a national roadmap during Wound Awareness Week, including a 5-point plan for enhanced education, aged care worker upskilling, and sector consensus. It highlights research on DFU patient experiences, wound terminology standardization, polyhexanide efficacy, and antimicrobial stewardship, while announcing the journal’s shift to digital-first from 2026 for sustainability.
Key Highlights:
- 5-Point Plan: Education boost, aged care training, consensus building, research investment, policy advocacy.
- Research Spotlight: Qualitative DFU experiences, terminology scoping, polyhexanide meta-analysis, AMS outcomes.
- Digital Shift: Opt-in physical copies from 2026; promotes global access.
- Burden: 3% prevalence; $7B cost; calls for eradication via collaboration.
- Event: Canberra meeting with government/peak bodies for roadmap.
Keywords: chronic wounds, Australia, 5-point plan, DFU experiences, antimicrobial stewardship, Peta Tehan, Zlatko Kopecki