World Chronic Disease Day: Supporting Nurses to Lead Change in Long-Term Conditions

Chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory illnesses and stroke, are among the leading causes of ill health worldwide. Nurses play a critical role in supporting people to prevent disease, manage symptoms, navigate treatment and maintain their quality of life.

Across our grant programmes, we have supported a wide range of nurse-led initiatives focused on tackling the burden of chronic disease and improving health outcomes for individuals and communities.

Strengthening Cardiac Care in Zambia

In 2024, the Trust awarded funding to Birmingham City University to develop sustainable, context-specific cardiac care nurse education programmes in Zambia. The country has one cardiac hospital, the National Heart Hospital, but no trained specialist cardiac/ cardiovascular nurses. This nationally recognised project that we have supported, is now in the final stages of developing the first Zambian Bachelors and Masters programmes in this field. Also, as many nurses are educated to diploma level with no experience of cardiac nursing the project has developed a bridging programme for this group.

The project responds to the growing burden of cardiovascular diseases in the country and aims to equip nurses with the specialist knowledge and skills needed to deliver high-quality cardiovascular care. As rates of heart disease continue to increase globally, strengthening nursing capability is critical to improving prevention, early identification and ongoing management of cardiovascular conditions. By investing in education and professional development, this project seeks to create long-term improvements in patient outcomes while building local nursing leadership and expertise.

Supporting People Living with Chronic Respiratory Disease

At Queen’s University Belfast, researchers are exploring the impact of an online nurse-led resilience programme for people living with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The project recognises that living with a chronic respiratory condition presents not only physical challenges but also significant emotional and psychological pressures, and seeks to understand how nurse-led support can improve wellbeing and resilience.

Read project summary

Addressing Risk Factors Before Disease Develops

Preventing chronic disease is as important as managing it. Several funded projects focus on helping nurses support healthier lifestyles and reduce risk factors associated with long-term conditions.

A 2024 grant to C3 Collaborating for Health supports work with adult social care workers across five London boroughs, using targeted interventions to improve health and wellbeing. By supporting healthier behaviours and workplace cultures, projects such as this have the potential to contribute to the prevention of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other chronic conditions while improving the health of the workforce itself.

“Chronic diseases affect millions of people and place enormous pressure on health systems around the world. Nurses are central to enabling people to live well for longer. On World Chronic Disease Day, we celebrate the leadership, expertise and dedication of nurses who are making a lasting difference in the lives of people living with chronic conditions.”

Clare Cable, Chief Executive

Through its grant-making, the Burdett Trust for Nursing continues to support nurses in improving the prevention and management of long-term conditions, helping people live healthier lives and creating a lasting impact in communities.