Respiratory Public Health Flashcards
impacts of smoking
Smoking is a risk factor for: lung cancer emphysema, COPD, CHD, stroke, oral cancers, circulatory system damage (gangrene), breast cancer, cervical cancer, asthma, ulcers
epidemiology of lung cancer
over 4000 die of lung cancer in Scotland each year (a quarter of all cancer deaths in Scotland). 1 year survival for lung cancer is under a third. 5 year survival is under 10%.
Incidence is decreasing (decreasing for males, but increasing for females).
Mortality rates are higher for Scotland than rest of UK.
More likely to get lung cancer if live in deprivation, also more likely to die if you get it.
epidemiology of smoking
billion people smoke worldwide
effect of banning smoking in public places
heart attack rates fall, improved pulmonary function tests, reductions in self-reported symptoms, tobacco is many people’s only source of income
current consensus on e-cigarettes
popular aid to smoking cessation, may be dangerous, worries that it could provide a route into smoking for non-smokers and children
epidemic
outbreak of unexpected size (more than one area/ country)
pandemic
global distribution of disease
endemic
occurs naturally in a population
why is influenza virus a high risk for future pandemics?
there can be antigenic drift which is unpredictable, and also animal reservoir/ mixing vessel
flu: mechanisms of spread
avian, animals, human-to-human transmission
flu: risk management
build better alliances between animal health sector, human health sectors, environmental and conservation sectors
role of medics and other scientists in communication during and after epidemics and pandemics
anticipate the epidemics, look at surveillance, science and technology behind the epidemics
role of organisations in emergency management
plan ahead
have a plan for exactly what to do when crisis comes
