*This is a research programme of four inter-linked projects. For the specific projects, see the Components panel (on the home page), or the links below.* <br> Osteoarthritis is among the most common long-term conditions in New Zealand. The burden of pain, disability and economic costs is rising – especially for Māori. Access to treatments is poor. Joint replacement surgery is highly cost-effective, but demand – already straining capacity – is growing rapidly. Cost-effective interventions for early- and mid-stage osteoarthritis are known to have good outcomes and are potentially cost-saving compared to current practice, but are not being delivered. Multimorbidity is common. Coping with future demand will require optimising resource allocation; we must consider preventive measures and coordinated delivery of accessible, equitable, effective and cost-effective interventions. This programme of research of four linked multi-disciplinary projects will look at ways to deliver the best value for money and equity in managing osteoarthritis in the New Zealand public healthcare system, from prevention through to joint replacement surgery. <br> #### Projects: * [**Discrete event simulation modelling**](https://osf.io/4fbwa/)\ This project develops a discrete event simulation model of the incidence, progression, symptoms, and treatment of knee osteoarthritis in New Zealand, to investigate the allocative efficiency and equity of alternative models of intervention delivery across the disease course. * [**Risks, Impacts, Equity, and Cost-Effectiveness**](https://osf.io/nwd58/)\ Several sub-projects conducting health economic and epidemiological analyses of the impact, equity, and cost-effectiveness of treatments for osteoarthritis in Aotearoa New Zealand. * [**He Oranga mō te whanau**](https://osf.io/ncrqs/)\ A randomised clinical trial to determine whether a novel, culturally acceptable exercise therapy, dietary education, and self-management intervention, in addition to usual care, results in superior outcomes in people with osteoarthritis and multimorbidity, compared with usual care only. * [**Mātauranga**](https://osf.io/bu9vt/)\ Applying a critical Māori lens to the intersections and implications of this programme and of our project [*Measuring the health state preferences of New Zealanders*](https://osf.io/u67dv/), to develop mātauranga findings and outputs that are expressly relevant to whānau and hapū, to rangahau Māori, to Māori health professionals, and to the Waitangi Tribunal Wai 2575 Inquiry.