Studies across the European Union have noted that chronic illness and chronic disabling conditions rather than acute infectious diseases are now the major causes of morbidity and mortality in member states. This transformation in the nature of health and illness has, and will continue to have, profound effects on the nature of both medicine and the policy and organization of health care. It is estimated that not only will the share of consultations with doctors about issues connected with problems of living with chronic conditions increase, but there will also be a corresponding shift in medical practice from cure to care.