According to a survey by the NHS, four out of ten people suffer from chronic illnesses

The second part of the annual NHS Health Survey for England 2022, released today highlights the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and the dangers associated with missed diagnosis and early treatments.

In 2022, the survey found that four out of ten adults (41%) will have at least one chronic illness or condition. In 2019, 43% of adults had elevated cholesterol. By 2022, 53% of adults will have raised cholesterol.

Nearly a fifth (16%) reported an acute illness, while 7% reported a very bad or poor general health.

The most common long-term conditions were musculoskeletal disorders (14%), mental and behavioural disorders (11%) as well as heart and circulatory problems (9%).

Brett Hill is Head of Health & Protection for leading independent consultancy Broadstone. He commented: “Today’s survey results reveal a decayed state in the UK’s health, and a high number of individuals struggling with long-term conditions.”

Since the pandemic there have been many reports of people having difficulty accessing NHS primary care, such as GP services and screenings for health, which are a vital first line of defense against chronic or fatal conditions.

It’s not surprising that a majority of people suffer from chronic health problems. Thousands fall through the healthcare gaps and miss out on treatment and diagnosis, exacerbating existing conditions.

This worrying trend impacts millions of workers in the UK, increasing sickness-related absences and limiting productivity due to employees’ struggles with chronic illnesses that are often debilitating.

Employers are stepping up with full force in order to protect the wellbeing of their employees and to achieve their growth goals on a long-term basis.

Employers can help their employees remain healthy and happy by implementing health screenings, on-site primary care, or digital primary health services.

In the Autumn Statement, we hope that the government will continue to encourage businesses to provide this access.

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