Globalization of Disease World Issues 120

Working It Out 1. On your own, list at LEAST ten diseases that can be fatal or have a profound impact on one’s quality of life. 2. Expand your list by combining it with at least two classmates.

Working It Out 3. From your expanded list, choose 5 diseases that would, in your mind, be most closely associated with 1st World countries. 4. Suggest one or more things that can be done to reduce the likelihood of a person suffering from these diseases.

Working It Out 5. From your expanded list, choose 5 diseases that would be most closely associated with 3rd World countries. 6. Suggest one or more things that can be done to reduce the likelihood of a person suffering from these diseases. 7. What differences do you see in your answers to #4 and #6? Why do these differences exist?

Infectious & Lifestyle Disease Disease can generally be divided into 2 groups: Infectious - disorders caused by organisms — such as bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. Many organisms live in and on our bodies. They're normally harmless or even helpful, but under certain conditions, some organisms may cause disease. Some infectious diseases can be passed from person to person Lifestyle - (also sometimes called diseases of longevity or diseases of civilization interchangeably) are defined as diseases linked with the way people live their life. This is commonly caused by alcohol, drug and smoking abuse as well as lack of physical activity and unhealthy eating. Infectious diseases are more common in developing countries. Lifestyle diseases are more common in developed countries.

Definition - Pandemic A disease that affects a large portion of the population of many different countries at the same time; the worldwide spread of a new disease. How many examples of pandemics can you think of?

HIV/AIDS 78 million people have become infected with HIV since the start of the epidemic (end 2015). 35 million people have died from AIDS-related illnesses since the start of the epidemic (end 2015). AIDS-related deaths have fallen by 45% since the peak in 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa has been most affected (more than 2/3s live there) but the disease is definitely global.

HIV/AIDS in Canada The number of people living with HIV in Canada is increasing. An estimated 75,500 Canadians were living with HIV at the end of 2014. This increase is a result of both new HIV infections and fewer deaths due to effective treatment options. The number of new HIV infections in Canada has decreased slightly in the past several years but is not insubstantial. An estimated 2,570 people became infected with HIV in Canada in 2014. This is only slightly lower than the estimated 2,800 new infections in 2011. The HIV incidence rate is 7.2 per 100,000 people living in Canada.

Background Relatively new – appears to have spread to humans from chimpanzees in the 1950’s in Africa At first, it was primarily associated with intravenous drug users and homosexual men. Now, however, victims are from all walks of life. In Africa, many more women are infected than men. Using condoms is the cheapest and most effective form of protection against the transmission of the HIV virus during sexual contact. However, in most countries, condom use is minimal. 

Ignorance/Fear In most countries, it is still difficult to talk about. Ignorance can lead to a greater spread of the disease. Many infected people are shunned, outcast, or even murdered. 4 words describe society’s response: Silence Stigma Discrimination Denial

Steps To Take in Africa End the stigma & silence Work toward the ABC’s (more later) Empower women to say “no” to sex Treat HIV-positive pregnant women to prevent transmission to the fetus Improve testing & treatment programs

The ABC’s of prevention Abstain – encourage people to become sexually active later, and empower women to say “no” Be Faithful – stick to one partner “Condomize” – encourage unprotected sex ONLY when both partners have been tested and are trying to have a baby.

Steps to Take in Developed Countries Continue supplying anti-retroviral drugs (ARV’s) which can delay the onset of AIDS Raise funds to continue searching for a cure Accelerate research on vaccines (more focus has been on treatment rather than prevention)

Lifestyle Diseases – The Obesity Pandemic There is a clear link between obesity and many of the diseases that are killers in developed nations: heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, strokes, certain cancers. Can also cause infertility. Approx. 1 BILLION adults worldwide are overweight or obese. Increasingly, children are becoming obese as well.

Changes in Diet How has caloric intake changed over the last 40 years? Globally - 450 kcal per capita per day In Developing countries - over 600 kcal What types of foods are being eaten more? More fat More added sugars What types are being eaten less? Less complex carbohydrates and dietary fibre Less fruit and vegetables

Causes: Nutrition Transition As related to Demographic Transition Model Stage 1 – most people are undernourished Stage 2 – agricultural productivity increases, people are in an ideal weight range Stage 3 – Diets change quantitatively (how much) and qualitatively (what types). People become overweight or obese Stage 4 – Focus on impact – medical intervention, gov’t action, and behaviour changes.

Causes Lifestyles have changed from farming & heavy labour to having many more labour-saving devices. Imagine completing the daily activities of your household without the convenience of modern appliances/machines. What would be different? Lifestyles have become more sedentary (characterized by more time sitting).