Is there a link between disease and levels of economic development? Key Idea 2a: As countries develop economically, the frequency of communicable diseases decreases while the prevalence of non-communicable diseases increases. Learning Objectives: To investigate the high prevalence of non-communicable diseases (diseases of affluence) in ACs. To investigate the high prevalence of communicable diseases (diseases of poverty) in LIDC.

Also known as ‘diseases of development’ Diseases of affluence Also known as ‘diseases of development’

Diseases of Affluence …..are those diseases which are thought to be the result of increasing wealth in society, in contrast to diseases of poverty which result from impoverishment (poverty). Activity 1. List as many diseases of affluence you can think of. (Try to link a cause to each named example).

Diseases of Affluence Obesity Diabetes (type 2) Coronary heart disease Cerebrovascular Disease Peripheral Vascular Disease Certain forms of Cancer 7) Asthma 8) Alcoholism 9) Depression 10) Allergies 11) Range of other Psychiatric Illnesses

Changing “body shape” over time.

Characteristics of "Diseases of Affluence" These diseases are categorised as non-communicable diseases. (what does this mean?) Whereas the “Diseases of Poverty” tend to be largely communicable either through infection, inadequate safety, environmental health issues, or poor hygiene.

Diseases of Affluence: the Causes In ACs, overnutrition and excessive consumption of sugar, carbohydrates, fats and salts are increasing health risks and the prevalence of non-communicable diseases. Other factors that contribute are lack of physical activity, medical advances (bizarrely) and lifestyle choices, plus some other social factors.

1) Food Intake and Diet Why do you think people make unhealthy choices? People in ACs can afford to buy a wider range of foodstuffs and luxury items such as chocolate and crisps which are high in fat and sugar. A more demanding lifestyle where everyone works means there is less time to buy and prepare healthy food so more people rely on fast and convenience foods which are often higher in calories and less healthy than freshly cooked meals.

2) Lack Of Physical Activity Why do you think people are less physically active than they were 50 years ago? Sectoral or structural changes in the types of jobs people do. The change from more active ‘Primary’ & ‘Secondary’ type jobs to less active ‘Tertiary’ & Quaternary’ type jobs. People in Tertiary jobs tend to be ‘desk bound’ and commute long distance by car or public transport, rather than walk or cycle. Longer working hours & greater commuting (travel) time mean less time to participate in exercise. Less movement sets people up for obesity, high blood pressure & general poor fitness so a “viscous cycle” of little exercise. A lack of physical activity is one of the leading causes of preventable death worldwide. A sedentary lifestyle is a type of lifestyle with no or irregular physical activity. A person who lives a sedentary lifestyle may colloquially be known as a couch potato. 

3) Medical Advances. How do you think this has led to a rise in non-communicable diseases?. Less exposure to pathogens & agents of infection from infancy, & a greater reliance on drugs & antibiotics (The medicalisation of society) leave people with lower natural immunity than would otherwise be the case. Longer lifespans increase the rate of ‘old-age’ diseases.

4) Social Factors. What other social factors might exist that increases risk of non-communicable diseases? More ‘stress’, longer working hours, & weakened social bonds (resulting from living alone, less leisure time & more car time) make alcohol & smoking a far more common habit, that may border on substance abuse. Depression & psychiatric disorder are diagnosed more often. “Stress” - a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances. "he's obviously under a lot of stress" psychiatric disorder, is a mental or behavioral pattern or anomaly that causes either suffering or an impaired ability to function in ordinary life.  “Depression” - severe, typically prolonged, feelings of despondency and dejection. "self-doubt creeps in and that swiftly turns to depression"

These diseases of affluence were once confined to the developed, but this is no longer the case. Why do you think this? In absolute numbers, the cases of cancer are highest in poor and middle income countries e.g. 70 % of all cases reported are in LIC & MICs. Ignoring absolute numbers but focusing on cases per 100,000 people remains highest in ACS. For females in ACs, crude cancer rates are 316/100,000 and for men are 253/100,000 compared with 103 and 123 respectively in LIDCs.

Causes of Diseases of Affluence Diseases of affluence are linked to the lifestyle resulting from economic development and increased wealth Three main causal factors can be recognised. Use the headings and questions below to summarise these. Refer to page 345 & 346 in your text book and the Geofile article “Diseases of Affluence” (1) Low levels of physical fitness Why do many people in MEDCs have low levels of physical fitness? (2) Lifestyle Explain why the following lifestyle changes lead to an increase in standard of living and often an increase in the incidence of diseases of affluence: More disposable income Medical advances Increased life expectancy Increased urbanisation (3) Food Intake and diet

Homework: High prevalence of Communicable diseases in LIDCs Read page 346 and answer the questions below: What are the 3 main types of communicable diseases responsible for mortality and morbidity in LIDCS? Which water-borne disease still remain endemic in LIDCs? Explain why the following factors leads to such high prevalence of communicable diseases in LIDCs: Poverty Inadequate nutrition Poor environmental conditions such as water pollution. (2 reasons). Overcrowded living conditions. 4) What is the difference between undernutrition and malnutrition? 5) Name 3 diseases caused by vitamin deficiency. 6) Name a disease caused by a protein deficiency.