The syllabus says
Global patterns of disease
- Explain the global distribution of diseases of affluence.
- Explain the global distribution of diseases of poverty.
Key terms
The epidemiological transition
The epidemiological transition refers to the changes in the types of diseases (especially those causing death) experienced by populations as they become wealthier over time.
Source: http://anthropology.ua.edu/blogs/ant475/tag/epidemiologic-transition/
Source: http://www.pitt.edu/~super4/lecture/lec12691/010.htm
Source: http://peterslarson.com/2013/10/30/the-epidemiologic-transition-in-kenya/
The Global Burden of Disease
The WHO produces many facts and figures about the global burden of disease. The GBD project has taken several forms over the years; information can be found here. The slideshow before is taken from that page, and contains many useful graphs. Ultimately it identifies that the epidemiological transition is occuring in many countries.
The WHO produces many facts and figures about the global burden of disease. The GBD project has taken several forms over the years; information can be found here. The slideshow before is taken from that page, and contains many useful graphs. Ultimately it identifies that the epidemiological transition is occuring in many countries.
Source: http://www.who.int/healthinfo/global_burden_disease/en/ "Key Figures and Tables" in PPT format (for download)
Diseases of affluence: examples and distribution
Diseases of affluence can generally be associated with non-communicable diseases. This is because the prevelance of communicable diseases is lower in richer societies, so the diseases suffered by people in those countries tend to be non-communicable.
As a result these diseases are often those that affect elderly people, who have had good medical care throughout their lives and are therefore 'old enough' to get these disease. Examples such stroke, heart disease and cancer are all associated with age. However, as societies have developed, these diseases are now affecting younger people to. This is because of unhealthy lifestyles that increase the risk factors. The people in richer countries can afford to live such lives. Examples include;
- smoking, leading to cancer
- overeating, leading to obesity related diseases
- drinking excess alcohol, leading to liver problems
It's very important to note that almost all diseases can occur naturally in any person. Diabetes is a good example. Firstly, most people are unaware that Type 1 is not related to lifestyle factors, while Type 2 has risk factors such as a poor diet and lack of exercise. Secondly, even Type 2 can develop in individuals who have healthy lifestyles. Similarly, there is a debate over whether obesity is a disease in its own right. In the USA several organisations now consider obesity a disease. For the purposes of this page, obesity will be considered an underlying cause of other diseases.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) produces an online atlas of health. Use it to investigate non-communicable diseases and factors affecting them, such as high blood pressure. The maps below all show an element of non-communicable disease linked to affluence. Click on each to bring it up in a larger image.
As a result these diseases are often those that affect elderly people, who have had good medical care throughout their lives and are therefore 'old enough' to get these disease. Examples such stroke, heart disease and cancer are all associated with age. However, as societies have developed, these diseases are now affecting younger people to. This is because of unhealthy lifestyles that increase the risk factors. The people in richer countries can afford to live such lives. Examples include;
- smoking, leading to cancer
- overeating, leading to obesity related diseases
- drinking excess alcohol, leading to liver problems
It's very important to note that almost all diseases can occur naturally in any person. Diabetes is a good example. Firstly, most people are unaware that Type 1 is not related to lifestyle factors, while Type 2 has risk factors such as a poor diet and lack of exercise. Secondly, even Type 2 can develop in individuals who have healthy lifestyles. Similarly, there is a debate over whether obesity is a disease in its own right. In the USA several organisations now consider obesity a disease. For the purposes of this page, obesity will be considered an underlying cause of other diseases.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) produces an online atlas of health. Use it to investigate non-communicable diseases and factors affecting them, such as high blood pressure. The maps below all show an element of non-communicable disease linked to affluence. Click on each to bring it up in a larger image.
The factsheet to the right from the WHO explains why some countries experience higher levels of economic impact from non-communicable disease.
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DISEASES OF Poverty: EXAMPLES and distrubtion
Diseases of poverty are those that are caused when people do not have access to adequate protection measures or treatment, resulting in their condition becoming worse. They are often linked to poverty and poor housing, poor water, malnutrition and low levels of education with regard to hygiene. Lack of sanitation is one major factor affecting the spread of disease.
Source: http://gamapserver.who.int/mapLibrary/Files/Maps/Global_TBincidence_2014.png
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Exploring the data further
The map above shows a snapshot of TB in 2014. However, countries are rapidly changing. The Google Public Data Explorer uses a Gapminder style to show this. The graph to the left shows that there are significant variations over time. Use the tool to explorer data more, and see if you can find correlations with wealth and other data. |
The MDGs and disease
One reason for the ever-faster pace of the epidemiological transition is the Millennium Development Goals. The chart below shows progress up to 2015; remember that these are not the 'final' report of the MDGs but showing progress according to the latest figure available. The final report can be found here with useful summaries, the relevant ones of which are shown lower down this page.
Especially important are Goals 4, 5 and 6 (note: the links are to May 2015, not the final report):
Especially important are Goals 4, 5 and 6 (note: the links are to May 2015, not the final report):
Source: http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/2015_MDG_Report/pdf/MDG%202015%20PC%20final.pdf
The MDGs and health: the final report
The graphics below are taken from the Final Report of the MDGs, published in 2015.