People living with spinal cord injury face many challenges and secondary health complications, limiting their independence and quality of life. By building global collaboration in spinal cord research and clinical trials we aim to reduce the length of time it takes to achieve significant and translatable research outcomes. This is why research matters.

People with spinal cord injury face many challenging secondary health complications that diminish quality of life and capacity for independence.

Secondary health implications may include:

• Loss of control of bladder and bowel function
• Sleep apnoea
• Dysfunctional blood pressure
• Sexual Health complications
• Lung problems
• Bone and joint problems
• Psychological challenges, and vocation
• Loss of deep sensation necessary to prevent pressure sores

Social marginalisation may include:

• Inaccessible public spaces, housing, and workplaces
• Social and cultural barriers which limit opportunities for community participation on an equal basis with other citizens