Population living with chronic diseases continues to rise

People are living for longer and the older population is increasing. As chronic conditions are more prevalent in older people, there is a rise in people with one or more chronic conditions and multiple co-morbidities. Lifestyle choices are also impacting on this, such as diet and exercise – obesity, which escalates risk of developing other chronic conditions, is increasing at a rapid rate. Tackling the rise in chronic conditions requires coordinated policy and action across sectors.

The ageing population and increased prevalence of long term conditions and multiple morbidity raise major questions about how health and social care services are organised and delivered. Medical advances have meant that not only are people living longer, but they are also living longer with chronic conditions. Previously life-threatening illnesses are now manageable, and many are living with their conditions. The burden of disease has shifted away from life-threatening conditions to long-term conditions. An estimated 15 million people in England have at least one chronic condition. The annual cost of treating chronic heart disease, stroke, hypertension and diabetes alone totals to around £10 billion, not including costs through lost working days. Prevalence of cancers, chronic kidney disease and diabetes are increasing most quickly among long term conditions.

The government has previously set out key priorities in managing chronic diseases, mostly through public health drives such as reducing smoking, reducing obesity and improving diets and nutrition, and increasing exercise. Although policy is offering greater sustained support for self care and care in the community, which goes some way in helping people manage long term conditions, pressures to produce quick results has led to policies and initiatives being introduced without adequate preparation.

Current trends indicate greater pressures ahead. The number of people living with dementia in the UK is expected to double over the next 30 years; over the next 20 years, the number of obese adults is estimated to rise by 11 million. Chronic conditions pose a geographic challenge too, as they tend to be worse in areas of deprivation. There are socio-economic and educational factors at play, so tackling the rise in chronic conditions requires coordinated policy and action across many sectors, departments and levels.

Sources or references

• Interviews with healthcare professionals as part of the CfWI’s Medical and Dental Student Intakes project, 2012
• King’s Fund, 2012, Transforming the delivery of health and social care
• Department of Health, 2012, Long Term Conditions Compendium of Information
• Marcy, J. Chronic disease expert: US Health Care System Needs To Treat 'Whole Person'
• Cass Business School, 2005, The chronic disease burden – An analysis of health risks and health care usage
• King’s Fund, 2007, Our future health secured? A review of NHS funding and performance

Some of the information in this section is provided by stakeholders and expert groups, and does not necessarily represent the views of the CfWI.