So are long-term health conditions (including pain) a problem around the world
Yes, people with long-term health conditions has become a problem worldwide, so you are not on your own. According to most sources, globally, approximately one in three of all adults suffer from multiple chronic conditions. There isn’t a definitive figure yet, so the latest number for people living with long-term health conditions is 26 million people in the UK live with at least one long-term health condition and 10 million who have two or more.
Regarding pain in the UK, here are some facts about long-term pain from the British Medical Journal (BMJ) Pain affects between one-third and one-half of the population of the UK, corresponding to just under 28 million adults, based on data from the best available published studies. This figure is likely to increase further in line with an ageing population.
People with persistent pain were more likely to be anxious or depressed - 69% with severe pain are worried about their moods.
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.
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
One of my long term heath conditions is Prostate cancer.
I was diagnosed with it May 2016 and it has been managed with three monthly injections and also since 2025, medication.
An organisation that helped me along the way inn my journey has been a New Zealand organisation called Pinc & Steel
In 2017 I was lucky enough to meet Lou James, the founder of the organisation inn London. Lou is a Physiotherapist and she explained the work she and other trained Pinc & Steel support others.
In a nutshell, once a person has been diagnosed with cancer, Pinc & Steel Physiotherapists organised a Prehab, During and After treatment programme.
Lou has trained many other Physiotherapist around the world, with the Pinc & Steel. Go to the 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 Eating foods for someone living with cancer. Watch the video here to find out which ones.