Chronic conditions

Chronic conditions are the leading cause of illness, disability and death in Australia. Common chronic conditions include cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Find out what we’re doing to prevent and manage chronic conditions in Australia.

Learn about chronic conditions

Find out what chronic conditions are and where to find more information about them.

Take action on your risk factors

You can take action to prevent, manage or treat chronic conditions. Find out how.

See our chronic conditions initiatives

Our initiatives can help you prevent or manage chronic conditions in your life.

Find out what we’re doing about chronic conditions

We support activities dealing with many types of chronic conditions.

National Strategic Framework for Chronic Conditions

This framework is the overarching policy document for chronic conditions. It sets the directions and outcomes to help Australians live healthier lives through effective prevention and management of chronic conditions.

Read the framework

In Australia, 8 common chronic conditions contribute to

61%

of the burden of disease

37%

of hospitalisations

87%

of deaths (based on underlying or associated causes of death)

Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Australia's Health 2018, section 3.3, page 3. The 8 conditions are arthritis, asthma, back pain, cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, and mental health conditions.

Latest resources

Latest resources

Healthy ageing: developmental research report

We commissioned a market research study into healthy ageing, identifying how we can help encourage Australians to make the most of their later years.

Key updates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities – March 2023

This newsletter provides key health updates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander households, communities and stakeholders.

Key updates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities – April 2023

This newsletter provides key health updates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander households, communities and stakeholders.

Life Saving Drugs Program (LSDP) Expert Panel meeting agenda – 26 May 2023

Life Saving Drugs Program Expert Panel (LSDPEP) agenda for the 15th meeting on 26 May 2023.