Chapter_3_Health_and_Diseases_-_Are_we_more_vulnerable_than_before_

GATEWAY 1: What are the global patterns of health and diseases? What are the indicators used to measure health? ● Health ​ is the state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. ● Infant mortality rate ​ is the number of infants that die before reaching one year old per 1,000 live births in a year. ○ LDCs ​ usually have a higher infant mortality rate than ​ DCs ​ . ● Life expectancy ​ is the average number of years from the time of birth that a person can expect to live. ○ DCs ​ usually have a higher life expectancy than ​ LDCs ​ . How and why does the health of people differ between DCs and LDCs? (SEE) Factors Aspect Description DCs LDCs Social Diet ● Diet ​ refers to the food and drink that people consume. ● Obesity ​ is a medical condition in which there is excessive fat accumulation in the body that can impair one’s health. ● If a person is obese, they are more likely to develop illnesses like hypertension or heart disease, which can directly impact their health. ● Malnutrition ​ is a condition in which the body does not get the sufficient or balanced amount of nutrients it needs to maintain healthy tissues or organ functions. ● If a person suffers from malnutrition, they may be more sickly as their immune systems may be more easily compromised. Lifestyle choices ● Lifestyle choices refer to how a person chooses to live and behave, according to attitudes, habits and values. ● A healthy lifestyle reduces the risk of many diseases including heart disease. ● People in DCs are more likely to be subject to physical inactivity, which can cause obesity and a heightened risk for various diseases. ● However, people in DC usually have more balanced diets, which allows them to have a stronger immune system and improved overall health. ● People in LDCs are more likely to smoke and hence run a higher risk of developing respiratory illnesses. Education ● Education ​ refers to the process of teaching and learning, often within the context of formal institutions such as a school or university. ● People in DCs are more likely to be better educated. ● This means they are better informed on how to lead a healthy lifestyle. ● They also earn higher incomes, that gives them better access to quality medical treatment. ● Higher level of women’s education means that they are more informed of nutrition and healthcare and hence can care for their children more effectively. ● Children who receive formal schooling are more likely to learn about healthcare and nutrition and hence can make better informed choices about diet and lifestyle. ● People in LDCs are not as well educated as education is not usually compulsory in LDCs and because poverty usually forces many children to quit school at an early age. ● They earn less and hence may not be able to afford quality healthcare.