Option C.8

Question 1

Distinguish between non-communicable and communicable diseases.

Answer 1

Diseases caused by an infectious agent or its toxins, which pass by direct or indirect transmission from person to person or via an animal or the environment. Whereas non-communicable diseases are not passed from person to person. They are usually of long duration and slow progression.

Question 2

Outline population attributable risk (PAR).

Answer 2

PAR indicates the proportion of deaths or illnesses that would not occur if the risk factor was removed. ​

For example, a PAR for lung cancer deaths associated with moderate smoking calculated as 52%, means that 52% of lung cancer deaths would not occur if people in the population did not smoke.

Question 3

Outline the use of population attributable risk (PAR) for prioritizing public health initiatives.

Answer 3

Once a public health body like the World Health Organisation (WHO) know the PAR of a risk factor, they can begin to prioritise their initiatives, planning for which ones to spend most of their resources on. ​

Question 4

Explain the relationship between moderate exercise and health.

Answer 4

improved metabolic rates / energy expenditure;

increased VO2max;

improved plasma lipid profiles; improved plasma lipid profiles increase blood vessel health / decreased chance of clotting;

decreased adiposity around organs;

decreased blood pressure <as> creates less strain on vascular system;</as>

reduced risk of osteoporosis / skeletal injuries;

improved mood / perception of self- esteem / endorphin release;

improved body composition lowers strain on skeletal system / heart / joints / blood vessels / chances of developing Type ii diabetes;

Question 5

Outline the causes of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in athletes.

Answer 5

Athletes habitually exercising at high intensity can be more susceptible to SCD. Exercising at high intensity elevates troponin levels which increases risk to SCD.
Underlying medical history (for example, genetic disorders such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), Arrythmia syndromes, Coronary artery disease(40% hereditary))

from mark scheme:
intensity of exercise induces the cardiac issue;

they are not used to exercising / do not take part in regular exercise «at the same intensity» which would prevent cardiac issues;

habitual weekly exercise/athletes who habitually exercise at high levels are more susceptible to SCD / elevates troponin levels which increases risk to SCD;

underlying medical history/genetic disposition;