Health & Disease
- Health is the state of physical and mental well-being; lots of factors affect the health of an individual
- Diseases, both communicable and non-communicable, are major causes of ill health; ill-health affects not only the sufferer but their family members and the contribution that individual can make to society
- Ill health can lead to a poorer quality of life or reduced lifespan
- The cost of an individual being ill - individuals who are sick may not be able to work and may require expensive healthcare (with the cost being attributed to the individual or a healthcare provider such as the NHS in the UK)
- Communicable diseases are caused by microorganisms called pathogens which can spread between individuals or individuals and animals
- eg. chickenpox, a common childhood disease, is caused by a viral pathogen called the varicella-zoster virus whereas Covid-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus
- Non-communicable diseases are not caused by pathogens and their effects on health tend to be longer-lasting; examples are asthma, CHD and most cancers
- Factors including diet, stress and life situations may have a profound effect on both physical and mental health
- Eating a balanced diet that provides the right amount of energy and nutrients helps maintain good health whereas a poor diet can lead to deficiencies, obesity, diabetes and poor mental health
- Constantly being under stress can lead to cardiovascular issues (such as high blood pressure, increasing the risk of CHD) and poor mental health
- Where a person lives and their income can have a profound impact on health - this affects the standard of healthcare that is accessible to them (and what they can afford), what food they buy etc.
