🟣Population And Health Flashcards
Communicable vs non-communicable diseases
Communicable diseases comprise infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and measles. (Contagious)
Non-communicable diseases are mostly chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and diabetes. (Contagious)
Climate (heat) and health link
Extreme high air temperatures contribute to deaths from cardiovascular and respiratory disease, particularly among elderly people.
2003 heatwave in Europe more than 70 000 excess deaths were recorded.
High temperatures increase ozone and other pollutants that exacerbate cardiovascular and respiratory disease. Pollen / aero allergen levels are higher
Climate (rainfall) and health link
Increasingly variable rainfall patterns are likely to affect the supply of fresh water. A lack of safe water can compromise hygiene and increase the risk of diarrhoeal disease, which kills over 500 000 children aged under 5 years, every year. In extreme cases, water scarcity leads to drought and famine.
Drought and health link
The impacts of desertification include famine and migration. After the earth has been stripped by people or animals, the exposed soil is washed away by rains and the earth is left infertile. This combined with drought can lead to mass migration as people attempt to move to more fertile areas.
Seasonal annual depression and health
Lower morale and increased depression during the winter, suicide rates ate higher and there are shorter days and longer nights.
Heavy rainfall and health link
Oppurtunity for vector-borne diseases to spread
Long periods of mild temperatures and heath link
Vectors and viruses can thrive for longer - people are exposed to them for a longer time
Temperate winters cool damp conditions and health link
Air borne diseases thrive in these areas
Excessive rainfall and health link
Sewage system outflow - water contamination and the outbreak of viral and bacterial infections
Water quality and health
Diarrhoeal disease alone amounts to an estimated 3.6 % of the total daily global burden of disease and is responsible for the deaths of 2 million people every year.
It is estimated that 58% of that burden, or 829 000 deaths per year, is attributable to unsafe water supply, sanitation and hygiene and includes 361 000 deaths of children under age five, mostly in low-income countries.
Diarrhoea increases malnutrition and death by malnutrition.
Parasitic diseases and health link
Parasitic worms (helminths) living in water cause many diseases in developing countries. These include ascaris, whipworm and threadworm, but it is bilharzia, hookworm and guinea worm that are the most dangerous.
Earthquakes and health link
Trauma related deaths and injuries from collapsed buildings and from secondary effects.
Infection from untreated wounds and damaged facilities (water/sewage).
Increased risk of complications to pregnant women (can be due to stress).
Overcrowding.
Absence of health workers who may not be able to reach health facilities.
Malaria and health link
Predominant in SSA, Middle East, Latin America.
247 million cases in 2021.
Fever / headaches / fatigue / anaemia in children - results in poor growth and development / extreme organ failure / reduced well being congenital malaria
Glasgow health link to social/cultural
- Alcohol, suicide, violence and drugs account for 60% excess deaths.
- 2x as many murders in Glasgow than in centeral london / 250% higher than in Liverpool and Manchester.
- Loss of culture as deindustrilistation effected peoples cultural identity.
- History of heavy industry - unhealthy living conditions, mining settlements around city edges.
- Job loss in the late 20th century making the area a region of poverty - continued on from then.
- Men were “driven out’ of the house to the pubs, and a culture of whisky drinking became common. Marital relationships were difficult and often involved violence. This violence had a big effect on the children in many dysfunctional families.
Glasgow health link to environment
- Located in the north of the UK and in the centre of Scotland.
- Harsher colder winters, more rain, lack of sunshine, seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Unhealthy living conditions in the crowded inner city (glasgows inner, old industrial areas and its outer town council estates, middle income housing all have low Life expectancies).
Glasgow health link to economy
- Unemployment, deindustrilisation moved out of England so the ‘heart of the town’ was lost.
- Poverty - decrease life expectancy.
Glasgow health link to politics
- Government decisions made in London (Westminster) - far away, theyre out of touch of whats happening in Scotland.
- Thatcher Effect means the collapse of heavy industry also impacted Belfast, South Wales but life expectancy in Glasgow is lower.
- UK / European comparison - EU (Germany) planned and invested in the shift away from the manufacturing industry better resulting in higher life expectancies and better living conditions.
Glasgow health link to genetics
- Theres likely no genetic explanation, discrepancy between life expectancy in Glasgow and elsewhere in the UK has increased since 1980s and genetic makeup of the population would take longer than this to change.
- Also the death rate is higher across a range of illness making it easier to rule out genetic variations as a factor of lower life expectancy.
- Hidden influences on genes that are switched on or off depending on the environment your were brought up in -epigenetic impact of the diet your parents / grandparents were exposed to.
Why are suicide and homocide rates in Glasgow high
- Suicide rates in Glasgow are high - due to unemployment and poor living conditions.
- Homicide rates in Glasgow have come down by nearly 40% since 2007 believed to be the result of a police project tackling knife crime. But still 2x as many murders as London. Drug abuse is also high.
Infant mortality rates in Glasgow
- Babies born in Glasgow are expected to live the shortest lives of any in Britain. One in four Glaswegian men won’t reach their 65th birthday.
DTM Stage 1
Population - constant and low
High fluctuating birth and death rates due to high levels of disease and famine, brith control virtually non-existent.
Tribal communities
DTM Stage 2
Very rapid increase
Total population rising, birth rate remains high but death rate falling.
Death rates fall due to improvements in healthcare, hygiene, general living standards, less disease and increased food security.
Yemen, Afghanistan, Angola, SSAfrica
DTM Stage 3
Increase slows down but still rising
Population rising - birth rates start to fall due to societal development, death rate still falling.
Societal developments - emancipation of women (women rights more recognised), contraception, reduced need for family - labour for farming not needed, education and higher literacy rates for women.
Mexico and India
DTM Stage 4
Slow increase, some fluctuations
Population growing at slow rate - birth rate and death rate still low and start to level out.
Majority of HICs - UK
DTM Stage 5
Population decline p birth rates fall below death rates (ageing population)
Germany / Japan (however unnatural population growth - migration is changing the population)
Stage 3/4 demographic dividend + dependancy ratio
A demographic dividend is where birth rates and death rates fall, causing the dependency ratio to decrease, resulting in a large work force contributing to the economy.
Dependency ratio: The proportion of dependants to economically active. Dependants are typically under 18s and over 65s, but this definition varies.
Stage 5 - ageing population and replacement levels
The more populous age group in stage 4 will eventually become older and dependent, creating an ageing population that needs to be cared for. The ‘replacement level’ refers to the amount of population needed to replace the amount of people getting older. This population needs to sustain the economy as well as care for the large elderly population. When birth rates fall, birth rates do not meet the replacement level, causing ‘sub-replacement fertility’.
Population change - international migration
People moving from one country into another for economic, social, political, environmental reasons.
Caused by push and pull factors
Population change - asylum seekers
People who have left. Their country and are seeking asylum in another. They’re waiting to be granted residency and become a refugee.
Population change - economic migrants
People who moved voluntarily for reasons of work and improved quality of life
Population change - refugees
People who have been forced to leave their homes and travel to another country due to fleeing conflict, political or religious persecution. They have been granted permanent or temporary residency by the host country or the UN refugee agency (UNHCR).
Pull factors migration
More job opportunities with higher wages and safer working standards.
Environment is better, including living environment (access to clean water, sanitation, central heating in homes etc.).
No wars/ persecution for beliefs, meaning people can live freely.
Public services are better (better education, better healthcare, emergency services)
More leisure activities and ways to enjoy yourself, especially due to a higher disposable income.
Push factors migration
High unemployment, low job opportunity and low wages causing economic difficulty.
Environmental quality is low: lots of pollution, hazardous environment e.g. toxic waste, low access to clean drinking water and sanitation.
War or persecution in home country. Political unrest in home country.
Poor public services (education, healthcare emergency services etc.).
Overall low quality of life
What do mortality rates provide about a region
Indication of socioeconomic stairs of a region / country.
Mortality vs morbidity
Mortality - number of deaths over time, per unit of population - usually per 1000)
Morbidity - measured by disease incidence of prevalence.
Health can be ,ensured using a range of measurements including these 2.
Crude death rate - define
The number of deaths in a given period divided by the population exposed to risk of death in that period.
Global pattern of health - infant mortality
he amount of infants that die per 1000 births) is another indicator of mortality, and perhaps a better indicator of the socioeconomics of a region. Infant mortality is highest in Africa, as well as Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Laos.
Infant mortality rates are usually lower in high income, developed countries, such as in the regions of Europe and North America.
Morbidity rates - NCD
Higher in HICs
Morbidity rates - CD’s
Higher in LIC’s - infectious disease or biologically transmitted diseases.
Global health patterns - overall
Health is usually better in high income countries compared to low income countries, which is somewhat demonstrated by the morbidity rates of certain diseases in HICs compared to LICs. Another indicator of health is life expectancy, which is higher in HICs. HICs usually spend more money on health, which often correlates to the higher life expectancy.
Malaria - what is it
Biologically transmitted disease - communicable
Vector born
Female Anopheles mosquito, when it bites the parasites get into blood and lover then into RBC;s and then they burst.
SSAfrica
Stagnant water / Humid / High rainfall - mosquito breeding grounds
Malaria distribution
· Distribution - Sub Saharan Africa, Middle East, Latin America
· Global prevenlence - 3 billion people at risk
Malaria seasonal incidence
Highest in September / November (following main rainy seasons of June-September)
Associated with humid / high rainfall / stagnant water
Socioeconomic variable that increase malaria infection rates - housing quality
Homes with earth/sand floors using materials such as mud, bamboo cane of wooden trunks for walls and grass or palm leaves to provide a roof; those with poorly-fitted windows or doors, or windows without glass, screens, curtains or shutters are likely to increase the incidence of malarial infection.
Socioeconomic variable that increase malaria infection rates - unsanitary condition
Studies of malaria ‘hotspots’ in Chennai identified that although individual houses were clean, surrounding areas were dirty a d polluted by rubbish and waste outflows. Spitting and open defecation are also commonly associated with attracting mosquitoes.
Socioeconomic variable that increase malaria infection rates - occupancy
- High density occupancy - densely clustered, built-up areas and overcrowded rooms (for sleeping) increases risk
- High malaria incidence is associated with high infant mortality and subsequent high fertility rates
- A consequence of this is that children often share a room with at least 5 occupants, increasing risk of transmission
Socioeconomic variable that increase malaria infection rates - rural vs urban environments
- Those in rural areas are seen to be more at risk, however contamination rates in urban slums and squatter settlements are high due to building density, unsanitary conditions and stagnant water being retained in rubbish
Socioeconomic variable that increase malaria infection rates - age and gender
- not associated with risk of infection but children under 5 are more likely to suffer because they aren’t able to withstand the disease.
- Studies in The Gambia and Tanzania show that there is a shift in risk from under 5’s to the 5-14s age group
- This is possibly a result of the investment and focus on prevention for the under 5’s
Socioeconomic variable that increase malaria infection rates - ethnicity
- Cultural factors such as attitudes to health and education
- Proximity to health services
Socioeconomic variable that increase malaria infection rates - education
Those with a clearer understanding of the link between malaria and surroundings environmental conditions, including hygiene and sanitation are more likely to to use prevention stratigies. For example, studies in Malawi found that net ownership was largely absent in homes where the head of the household had not completed primary education
Socioeconomic variable that increase malaria infection rates - income
There is a strong positive correlation between income and the use of prevention methods. Those with higher incomes spend more on repellents, insecticide-treated nets (ITNS) and mosquito coils, to reduce their risk of infection. Higher income is associated with better nourishment and studies show that cerebral malari is less common in well-nourished children.
Again, this disproportionately affects agricultural workers many of whom receive seasonal incomes at harves time and cannot afford nets or treatment during the main malarial season.
between income and the use of prevention methods. Those with higher incomes spend more on repellents, insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and mosquito coils, to reduce their risk of infection. Higher income is associated with better
Socioeconomic variable that increase malaria infection rates - distance and accessibility
• The greater distance to the nearest clinics or hospitals is associated with fewer seeking treatment for symptoms and less expenditure on prevention methods
• E.g. repellents and coils are less available and so used less in rural areas.
Socioeconomic variable that increase malaria infection rates - occupation
People who work as farmers or other outside jobs are more likely to get malaria as theres more of a risk of getting bitten by an infected female mosquito.
WHO role
- Responsibility for the International Classification of Diseases, which has become the worldwide standard for clinical and epidemiological purposes
- Advising national ministries of health on technical issues and providing assistance on health systems and care services
- Advising on the prevention and treatment of both communicable and non-communicable diseases
- Working with other UN agencies, NGOs and other partners on international health issues and
crises. For example, ensuring the safety of the air that people breathe, the food they eat and water they drink, as well as the medicines and vaccines
they need.
WHO success
- 194 member states and 6 regional offices - global reach and ability to focus and coordinate efforts to tackle health problems on an international scale - status.
- Access to international experts - expertise.
- Access to most recent research - resources / science.
- Successes - eradication of smallpox in the 1970s - success.
- 1988 - launched global polio eradication and by 2006 cases reduced by 99% - success .
- Adapting policies like HIV/AIDS in SS Africa differently to eastern Europe - comprehensive and organised.
- Works in partnership with other agencies collaborative.
- ‘Every Woman Every Child’ Movement - save 16million lives forward thinking.
- 2016 - Global strategy for Women’s Children’s and Adolescents’ Health.
- 2020 - it has its deployed scientific skills, epidemiological expertise, medical know- how, outbreak-response capacities, and global networks in helping countries manage the COVID 19 pandemic
WHO criticism
- Criticised by Global leaders most notably D Trump for being too ‘China
Centric’ in response to Covid 19 pandemic and not providing timely and
accurate information! - WHO had the ability to question China’s handling of the outbreak in Wuhan
so that the organization could better prepare the world for a dangerous
disease-but that WHO failed to act decisively. The criticism raises
questions about WHO’s authority to challenge states during serious
outbreaks for the good of global health. - Bureaucratic - and lacking practical front line approach
- Inflexible - unable to react quickly enough.
NGOs - Medecins San Frontieres Role
- Operate independently of Government and business.
- Organised at local national and international level.
- Funded by public donations
Alternative healthcare provides especially in LICs. - Useful link between government community businesses.
NGOs - Medecins San Frontieres Success
- Flexibility - react quickly and adapt
- Low cost of operations
Innovative and in touch - Independent so less red tape and bureaucracy
- Promotion of local involvement so sustainable
- Front line providers complimenting existing government or private provision or in the absence of.