Spending on healthcare and disease prevention will add pressure to the federal budget in coming years, but a leading economist says it will also assist more than 8 million people work later into their lives, helping lift productivity and participation.

Tuesday’s census data revealed for the first time the extent of long-term health conditions, showing about 2.2 million people live with mental health challenges, 2.1 million with arthritis and more than 2 million with asthma.