Overview of the Major Conditions Strategy

The document clarifies that the Major Conditions Strategy will aim to improve health outcomes and better meet the health and wellbeing needs of local populations. It will contribute to the broader government goal to narrow the gap in healthy life expectancy between local areas where it is highest and lowest by 2030 and to raise healthy life expectancy by 5 years by 2035, as laid out in the Levelling Up White Paper. The strategy will recognise challenges facing society, specifically around multimorbidity in ageing populations. People with two or more conditions account for around 50% of hospital admissions and over half of NHS costs.

The strategy will focus on six major conditions:

• Cancers
• Cardiovascular disease (CVD), including stroke and diabetes
• Musculoskeletal disorders (MSK)
• Mental ill health
• Dementia
• Chronic respiratory disease

In providing one strategy for a number of different long term conditions, the government aim to
remove pre-existing siloes between diseases and increase the provision of holistic, joined up and
personalised care for patients. This approach reflects the broader shift towards integrated care and
the creation of Integrated Care Systems following the Health and Care Act 2022.