#Nonwovens
EDANA launches landmark continence report to mark the start of the World Continence Week
Urinary incontinence (UI) is a widely prevalent condition affecting millions worldwide across all age groups, with an escalating incidence among older demographics. As global populations age and lifestyle-related risk factors such as obesity and reduced physical activity continue to scale up, the need for reliable, long-term care management frameworks has never been more pressing. This new landmark report provides an essential, multi-dimensional analysis of how Absorbent Hygiene Products (AHPs), and more specifically, continence products, act as a vital lifeline for individuals, macro-economies, and public healthcare systems alike.
Urinary incontinence is a complex condition
The report establishes that UI is a deeply nuanced clinical reality. It primarily manifests in three main forms—urge, stress, and mixed incontinence—each driven by distinct physiological mechanisms. Other variations, such as functional incontinence caused by cognitive or physical mobility impairments, further highlight that UI is not a single, uniform issue but an intricately layered medical challenge.
Urinary incontinence has a major impact on society
Driven by global aging trends, rising obesity rates, and the expansion of chronic diseases, the global footprint of UI is growing rapidly. Beyond the estimated 465 million adults currently affected worldwide, the macro-economic burden is staggering. Unmanaged UI accounts for billions in direct healthcare costs and tens of billions in indirect costs, creating massive financial strains due to reduced workplace employment, elevated absenteeism, and heavy institutionalization burdens.
People with urinary incontinence manage their condition in a variety of ways
A clear majority of individuals manage UI privately due to lingering social stigma, with up to 80% navigating symptoms without ever consulting a clinician. For those who do seek formal primary care, assistance is not always guaranteed. Clinical pathways dictate a stepwise management sequence—ranging from lifestyle adaptations to specialized surgeries—but for the millions who cannot be fully cured, daily containment remains the primary solution.
Absorbent hygiene products have a significant part to play in managing urinary incontinence
AHPs are heavily proven, effective tools that directly elevate health-related quality of life and preserve user dignity. These purpose-made products are regulated medical devices engineered to the highest performance standards specifically to handle urine loss. Clinical evidence demonstrates that the utilization of high-quality bodyworn AHPs drastically reduces caregiver laundering demands, supports professional workforce participation, and cuts the risk of secondary medical complications like pressure ulcers by up to 67%.
Absorbent hygiene products are a worthwhile expenditure for the public payer
By keeping individuals socially and economically active while preventing severe skin breakdowns or unnecessary hospitalizations, disposable AHPs deliver exceptional socio-economic returns. Public healthcare systems across nations like the UK, the Netherlands, and Australia actively endorse this value by integrating these essential containment products into official public reimbursement and payment schemes.
Industry initiatives are reducing the environmental impact of absorbent hygiene products
The report highlights ongoing sector-wide efforts to lower the ecological footprint of these vital solutions. Through continuous material science innovation and cradle-to-grave Life-Cycle Assessments (LCAs), products have become lighter and down-gauged via advanced superabsorbent polymers (SAP), optimizing resource efficiency while strictly maintaining skin safety. Concurrently, various exploratory initiatives are evaluating mechanical separation, chemical recycling, and anaerobic fermentation pilots to help advance scale-level circular economy solutions for the end-of-life stage.
Discover the full report here:
