Are long-term health conditions (including pain) a problem around the world
Yes, people with long-term health conditions have become an issue worldwide, so you are not on your own. According to most sources, approximately one in three adults lives with multiple long-term conditions. While there isn’t a definitive number.
Data from Future Health says “25 million people in England are estimated to have one long-term condition and 13.4 million people have two or more. People with long-term conditions account for 50% of GP appointments and 70% of hospital beds1. The number of people out of the labour market due to long-term sickness has increased sharply since 2019.”
According to the British Medical Journal (BMJ) Pain affects between one-third and one-half of the population of the UK, pain affects between one-third and one-half of the UK adult population. This number is likely to increase due to an ageing population.
People with persistent pain are more likely to be anxious or depressed. 69% of people with severe pain are worried about their moods.
The World Health Organisation says.."Globally, an estimated 2.4 billion people are currently living with a health condition that may benefit from rehabilitation.”
Pete says: People with a long-term health condition are likely to be worried, anxious and even get depressed.
So, it is vital for you to manage your symptoms. Your doctor or healthcare team can support or guide you to manage it well.
Why do I need to manage my health? After all I see my healthcare professional and aren’t, they supposed to do that for me?
Many people with long-term health conditions see their healthcare professional for treatment, help and support. But have you actually estimated just how many hours during the course of a year you spend with your healthcare professional? It has been said that people with health conditions (including pain) may spend less than 3 hours a year on average in contact with a healthcare professional. For the remaining 8,733 hours of the year they are on their own. So, the need to learn self-management skills and incorporate them in their everyday activities is very important.
There is a downloadable digital Self-Management Toolkit. See links below.
Future upcoming events
- 21st Feb 2026 5th Pain Supported Self Management (20th Feb is you live in North America) how to book, please click here
- 25th April 2026 1st International Supported Self Management - Online Conference. How to book, please click here
Social Prescibing
What is Social Prescribing?
It is fairly new to health care and has become an important part, supporting people with health care needs, guiding them to local services in their local area.
Social Prescribers are based in GP Surgeries, so ask at reception, how to book an appointment.
Here is a really useful video describing what and how Social Prescribers could help you. Click here to watch the video. If you have a hearing impairment, please click on the closed caption link to follow (cc)
Social prescribing is available in countries worldwide, with programs established or developing in North America (Canada, USA), Europe (UK, Ireland, Spain, Netherlands, Germany, Finland, Portugal, Denmark, Norway, Poland), Asia (China, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia), Oceania (Australia, New Zealand), and Africa (Nigeria)
Cancer Rehab
Healthy eating and living with cancer
One of Pete's long term health conditions is prostate cancer.
He was diagnosed in 2016. He manages it with three monthly injections. and as of 2025, with prescribed medication.
An organisation that has helped Pete along the way in his journey is Pinc & Steel, located in New Zealand.
Pete says, “In 2017, I was lucky enough to meet Lou James, the founder of the organisation in London. Lou is a physiotherapist, and she explained the work she and others trained Pinc & Steel do to support others."
Overall, once a person has been diagnosed with cancer, Pinc & Steel physiotherapists organise a prehab and a during and after treatment programmes.
Lou has trained many other physiotherapists around the world through Pinc & Steel. Go to their Contact Page and ask if there is one near you.
Healthy Eating and living with cancer
A few years ago, I interviewed Dr. Katherine Brain about what are the healthy foods are for someone living with cancer. Watch the video here to learn about these. Subtitles are available.