ABSTRACT
The terms ‘long-term condition’, ‘long-standing disorder’, ‘chronic illness’ and ‘chronic disease’ all refer to those health problems that are prolonged, do not resolve spontaneously, and are rarely completely cured (Dowrick et al. 2005). According to the Department of Health, in the United Kingdom (with a population of 61 million), approximately 17.5 million people have a long-term condition. Chronic illness is a significant health issue not least owing to the rising numbers of people with long-term health problems and the spiralling financial impact. Worldwide, the prevalence of all the leading chronic diseases is increasing (World Health Organisation 2005) and although this book focuses mainly on the UK experience it is important to remember that numbers are greater in developing countries and are projected to rise substantially over the next two decades and beyond. Unfortunately, it appears that poorer countries are inheriting the problems of more affluent nations including diets rich in calories and fats, sedentary behaviour, increasing exposure to urban stresses, and the harmful consequences of tobacco, alcohol, drug use, accidents, suicide and violence (Holroyd and Creer 1986).
