7 Questions
What factor greatly increases the risk of lung cancer?
Smoking
Which factor largely contributes to the risk of developing breast cancer?
Age and genetics
What lifestyle factor plays a vital role in determining whether people will develop non-communicable diseases?
Diet and exercise
Which condition is caused by excess caloric intake?
Obesity
What can lead to obesity and related illnesses if consumed in very large excess?
Saturated fat
Which factor can make an individual more likely to gain weight than others?
Genetics
What common factor is found in anorexic patients and individuals with coeliac disease or anaemia?
Vitamin and nutritional deficiencies
Study Notes
Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases
- Communicable diseases are those that can be transferred between individuals through air particles, parasites, bodily fluids, and other means.
- Examples of communicable diseases include viral infections like flu, bacterial infections like the common cold, and parasitic infections.
- Non-communicable diseases are those that cannot be transferred between individuals and are often caused by genetic or lifestyle factors.
- Examples of non-communicable diseases include cardiovascular disease, asthma, and diabetes.
Susceptibility to Disease
- Having one disease can increase susceptibility to other diseases.
- For example, having HIV can lead to opportunistic infections caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
- Having HPV can increase a woman's risk of developing cervical cancer.
Pathogens
- A pathogen is an organism that causes disease.
- Pathogens can infect plants or animals and spread through direct contact, water, or air.
Definitions of Health, Disease, and Susceptibility
- The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines health as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."
- Health is a complex concept that includes social and lifestyle factors.
Factors Affecting Non-Communicable Disease
- Lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise play a significant role in determining the risk of non-communicable diseases.
- Obesity is caused by eating more calories than burned, and can lead to related illnesses.
- Genetics can also influence the risk of developing certain diseases, such as breast cancer and obesity.
- Smoking and high alcohol intake can increase the risk of lung and liver diseases, respectively.
Learn about the differences between communicable diseases, which can be transferred between individuals through various means, and non-communicable diseases which cannot be transmitted. Discover examples of both types of diseases and how they affect public health.
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