Part 2: Risk Factors and Impact of Non-Communicable Diseases

Question 1

Define ‘non-communicable disease’.

Answer 1

Diseases that are not infectious and can not be passed from one organism to another.
• not caused by pathogens

Question 2

Define a ‘risk factor’.

Answer 2

Variable associated with an increased chance (risk) of infection.

Question 3

Lost some examples of risk factors for disease. (4)

Answer 3

• Smoking
• Drinking
• Unbalanced diet
• Fitness levels

Question 4

List examples of lifestyle factors or environmental substances that can increase the risk of developing particular diseases. (3)

Answer 4

1. Smoking
2. Drinking
3. Exposure to carcinogens in the environment such as ionising radiation

Question 5

Are correlations the same as casual mechanisms?

Answer 5

No

Question 6

Define ‘correlation’

Answer 6

A link or relationship between two or more things.

Question 7

Define ‘casual mechanism’.

Answer 7

Explains how one factor influences another through a biological process.

Question 8

Give an example of a casual relationship for a non-communicable disease.

Answer 8

Smoking and lung cancer

Question 9

Are casual mechanisms known for all diseases? Give an example (2)

Answer 9

1. No
2. For example, dementia or some types of cancer.

Question 10

List impacts of non-communicable diseases

Answer 10

1. Financial cost to individual
   • someone can’t work, so no money is coming in
2. Financial cost to local community
   • Money goes towards hubs (for example, for people with dementia)
   • this means money that could be for another project is put towards hubs.