Chronic Disease Management

A chronic condition is one that has existed or is likely to exist for six months or more. They are becoming more prevalent among Australians and are of high importance due to the social and economic consequences they have on people’s quality of life.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, almost half of Australians (47%, or 11.6 million people) were estimated to have one or more of these 10 major chronic conditions in 2020–21.

• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Back pain
• Cancer
• Chronic kidney disease
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Diabetes
• Mental and behavioural conditions (including mood disorders, alcohol and drug problems and dementia)
• Osteoporosis
• Selected heart, stroke and vascular diseases

Although these are some of the most prevalent conditions, the full expanse of chronic diseases is much broader.

The spectrum of a chronic disease’s impact can also vary greatly, with some diseases posing an immediate danger to your health such as heart disease, while others require long-term management such as diabetes. While others may be present over a long time but not life-threatening.