Long-term conditions are chronic illnesses that greatly affect people’s life styles and consist of health problems that require ongoing management over a period of years or decades. They include conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and affect over 17.5 million people in the UK.
Key facts
- 75-85% of healthcare expenditure is related to chronic disease
- 80% of GP consultations and 60% of hospital bed usage relates to a long term condition
- 60% of people over-65 have a chronic disease, set to double in next 10 yrs
- COPD costs the UK NHS £818 m and one million inpatient days per year
For information on the following long-term conditions click on the links below