Introduction to Non-Communicable Diseases
- Non-communicable diseases cannot be spread from one person to another, although in some cases, the behaviours that lead to them can be thought of as “contagious”
- Non-communicable diseases account for the highest burden of disease worldwide (64% of DALYs in 2019) and are usually prevalent in high, middle, and low-income populations.
Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
In the last century, cardiovascular diseases (C V Ds) have gone from a minor disease to the number one cause of death globally. Researchers and physicians alike define C V D as synonymous with ischemic heart disease (heart attacks); however, the W H O tends to describe C V Ds as a large category that includes multiple conditions. The large increase in the prevalence of C V D is partly due to people living longer lives and partly because of changes in lifestyle leading to increased C V D risk factors
Coronary Heart Disease
Disease of the blood vessels supplying the heart muscle
Cerebrovascular Heart Disease
Disease of the blood vessels supplying the brain
Peripheral Arterial Disease
Disease of the blood vessels supplying the arms and legs
Congenital Heart Disease
Malformations of heart structure existing at birth
Rheumatic Heart Disease
Damage to the heart muscle and heart valves from rheumatic fever, caused by streptococcal bacteria.
CVD Risk Factors and Interventions
- Although C V Ds are still more prevalent in higher income countries, 80% of worldwide C V D deaths occur in low and middle income countries because of their larger populations. C V D typically develops mid-life, which impacts the socioeconomic status (S E. S) of the person and by extension family and country. Those with low S E S tend to have more risk factors for C V D, and thus higher morbidity and mortality
- There are many interventions underway to help reduce C V D globally
Access to Medication
Innovative public health research is in progress to improve access to C V D drugs for primary and secondary prevention. These drugs are widely available worldwide, but remain expensive for many people. Generic versions could be cheaper to increase accessibility
Education & Accessibility
Increased education as well as stronger public policy and awareness toward healthy living, will help lower rates of C V D. In some communities, there are additional barriers to physical activity and healthy food such as geographical location, unaffordability, and lack of programming that make it increasingly difficult to live a healthy and active lifestyle
Introduction to Cancer
- Cancer is an umbrella term for the collection of disease where the body’s cell begins dividing uncontrollably without cell death, which eventually can begin to spread to other parts of the body
- The most common types of cancer found worldwide are lung, breast, colorectal, prostate, skin, and stomach cancer
- Cancer research is expensive. In 2011, the Canadian Cancer Society dedicated $48,886,000 to cancer research. For a scientist to set up a research lab, it can cost between $50,000 to $500,000
Cancer and GBD
The Global Burden of Disease Cancer Collaboration, which includes collaboration from over hundreds of researchers, published the article, Global Burden of Cancer 2017. This article concluded many key findings
Global Cancer Prevention Strategies
Around 40% of global cancer cases are preventable. Most prevention strategies focus on education to increase avoidance of common risk factors or providing national intervention through updated policies
Tobacco
Tobacco use is the single greatest avoidable risk factor for cancer mortality
Global prevention strategies include - tobacco
- Raising tobacco taxes.
- Requiring by law 100% smoke free environments in all indoor workplaces and public spaces.
- Put health warnings on all tobacco packaging.
- Establishing a national cessation program in health care facilities
Obestity
Unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, being overweight, and obesity all increase cancer risk
Global prevention strategies - obesity
- Developing national dietary and physical activity guidelines.
- Promoting public awareness campaigns about the links between cancer and obesity, unhealthy
diet, and physical inactivity
Alcohol
Alcohol use is a risk factor for many cancers and risk increases with amount consumed
Global prevention strategies - alcohol
- Raising public awareness, especially among young people, about alcohol related health risks,
including cancer, using gender specific messaging. - Developing and implementing a national policy aimed at reducing the overall level of alcohol consumption
Infections
Infections from biological agents such as human papillomavirus and hepatitis B virus are responsible for ~15% of all cancers globally
Global prevention strategies - infections
- Implementing universal immunization using one of the recommended immunization schedules
Carcinogens
Exposure to both occupational carcinogens and environmental pollution can increase the risk of developing certain cancers
Prevention strategies
- Stopping the use of asbestos.
- Ensuring safe drinking water.
- Identifying workers, workplaces, and worksites with exposures to carcinogens
Radiation
Exposure to ionizing radiation, both natural and manmade, increases the risk of many cancers. This risk increases with increased exposure and exposure at a young age
-
Module 1 Section 128
-
Module 1 Section 221
-
Module 1 Section 317
-
Module 2 Section 111
-
Module 2 Section 214
-
Module 2 Section 313
-
Module 2 Section 46
-
Module 2 Section 56
-
Module 2 Section 69
-
Module 3 Section 122
-
Module 3 Section 251
-
Module 3 Section 334
-
Module 3 Section 428
-
Module 3 Section 515
-
Module 4 Section 110
-
Module 4 Section 29
-
Module 4 Section 350
-
Module 4 Section 437
-
Module 5 Section 113
-
Module 5 Section 287
-
Module 5 Section 311
-
Module 5 Section 416
-
Module 6 Section 134
-
Module 6 Section 251
-
Module 6 Section 331
