Headstart Flashcards
Health status, Burden of Disease & Health and Wellbeing
health status
An individuals or a populations overall health, taking into account various aspects such as life expectancy, amount of disability and levels of disease risk factors.
life expectancy
The number of years of life, on average, remaining to an individual at a particular age if death rates do not change.
mortality rate
The number of deaths caused by a particular disease, illness or other environmental factor in a 12 month period, usually expressed per 1000 or 100, 000 people.
infant mortality rate (IMR)
The rate of deaths of infants between birth and their first birthday, usually expressed per 1000 live births.
under 5 mortality rate (U5MR)
The number of deaths of children under five years of age per 1000 live births.
low birth weight
A baby born under 2.5kg.
Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
An umbrella term that describes a range of conditions that can occur in children exposed to alcohol before birth.
neural tube defects
Conditions characterised by damage to the brain and spine, and to the nerve tissue of the spinal cord during prenatal development e.g. spina bifida.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
The unexplained death, usually during sleep, of a seemingly healthy baby less than a year old. SIDS is sometimes known as crib death because the infants often pass away in their cribs.
cardiovascular disease (CVD)
All diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Caused mainly by reduced blood supply to the heart, brain and legs (usually caused by atherosclerosis).
atherosclerosis
The build up of plaque on blood vessel walls, making it harder for blood to get through.
coronary heart disease (ischemic heart disease)
When blood vessels feeding the heart oxygen are damaged or blocked. A heart attack occurs if one of the vessels becomes completely blocked (sometimes called ischemic heart disease).
cerebrovascular disease (stroke)
When blood vessels feeding the brain with oxygen become damaged or blocked.
There are two types of stoke:
Ischemic = blockage
Haemorrhage = damage
hypertension/high blood pressure
When blood is being pumped through the arteries at a harder and faster rate that is considered normal/healthy.
cancer
A range of diseases categorised by uncontrolled and abnormal cell growth. Cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body causing further damage.
lung cancer
Uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells in the lungs. These cells can eventually prevent healthy cells from transferring oxygen to the blood cells.
colorectal cancer
Uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells in the colon (large intestine/bowel) and rectum. Begin as non-cancerous polyps in the lining of the colon and develop into cancer if not removed.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Progressive, long term lung diseases where damage to the lungs obstructs oxygen intake making breathing difficult. Two most common forms are emphysema and bronchitis.
asthma
A chronic condition that affects the small air passages of the lungs. When exposed to certain triggers the airways narrow, making it difficult to breathe.
dementia
A collection of symptoms that are caused by disorders affecting the brain, it is not one specific disease but the leading cause is Alzheimers disease.