What are long-term conditions?

Long-term conditions, also known as chronic diseases, are medical conditions that persist for an extended period of time, typically for three months or more. Examples of long-term conditions include diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, asthma, and cancer. These conditions can impact people's everyday lives in a variety of ways, including physical symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and limited mobility, as well as emotional and psychological effects such as anxiety and depression.

Long-term conditions can also lead to increased healthcare utilization, decreased quality of life, and higher mortality rates. This makes it important to focus on improving health outcomes for individuals with these conditions. This can be achieved through a variety of approaches, including patient education and self-management, lifestyle interventions, and appropriate medical treatment and management. By improving the management of long-term conditions, individuals can experience better health outcomes and a better quality of life.