Human Health Risk Factors

3 Categories of Human Health Risks 1. Physical 2. Biological 3. Chemical

Leading Causes of Death in the World

1.Infectious Diseases ;  7.

Biological Risks Infectious diseases- those caused by infectious agents, known as pathogens. Examples:

4 Types of Pathogens Viral Bacterial Fungal Parasites (protists)

Biological Risks Chronic Disease- slowly impairs the functioning of the person’s body Acute Disease-rapidly impairs the functioning of the person’s body

Leading World Health Risks for Chronic diseases: Comparison of Low-income countries to high-income countries

Low-income High-income

Changes in Risks over Time

Describe the changes in Risks over time.

Historical Disease: Common diseases that have been around a long time Examples:  Malaria  Tuberculosis  Plague

Emergent Diseases Relatively new infectious diseases Examples  AID/HIV  Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever  Mad Cow disease  Bird Flu  West Nile Virus

Locations of Emergent Diseases

Ebola hemorrhagic fever-highly lethal; no known treatment.

Pathways of Transmitting Pathogens

Infectious Diseases have Killed large numbers of people Epidemic: When a pathogen causes a rapid increase in disease Pandemic: When an epidemic occurs over a large geographic area.

The Future of Human Health To combat diseases in Low-income countries  Improve nutrition  Wider availability of clean water  Better sanitation  More access to vaccinations

The Future of Human Health In high-income countries health efforts should focus on Healthier lifestyle choices  More physical activity  Balanced diet-eat less-more fruits and vegetables  Decrease tobacco use

Types of Harmful Chemicals Neurtotoxins Carcinogens Teratogens Allergens Endocrine Disruptors

Neurotoxins Chemicals that disrupt the nervous system Examples: insecticides, lead, mercury In 1970’s government started requiring reductions of lead in gasoline and paint.

Decline of lead in children over time.

Describe the changes in lead levels in children since 1976.

Carcinogens Chemicals that cause cancer They cause cell damage and lead to uncontrolled cell growth. Can cause mutations in DNA of genes that regulate cell growth. These types are called mutatgens

Common Carcinogens Asbestos Radon Formaldehyde Chemicals in tobacco

Teratogens Interfere with normal development of embryos or fetuses. Most famous one was thalidomide

Allergens Chemicals that cause allergic reactions Stimulate an immune response Can cause breathing difficulties and death Examples: peanuts, chemicals in milk, drugs like penicillin and codeine.

Endocrine disruptors Chemicals that interfere with the normal functioning of hormones. Can enter wastewater from farm animals, Can enter wastewater from birth control pills in residential sewage, and can be pesticides that mimic animal hormones.

List 4 chemicals of major concern. List one from each type Tell what type it is and what its effect is.

Physical Risk Factors Natural disasters that cause injury and death Excessive exposure to UV radiation from the sun, or exposure to radioactive substances like radon or spills from Nuclear power plants. Natural disasters and exposures can be linked. Example Japan earthquake in 2011 and the Fukushima Nuclear Power plant leakage of radioactive coolant  Both UV and radioactivity can cause cancer.

Classification of causes of Diseases Infectious- caused by a biological agent. Congenital- a condition existing at or before birth or develops within the first month Inherited- caused by a defective gene that is inherited. Trauma-physical injury or deeply distressing or disturbing incident. Acquired, but not infectious-disease originating after birth but no t infectious

What are the 10 major categories of diseases? 1. Heart lung and other organ diseases. 2. Blood and immune system diseases 3. Cancer 4. Injury 5. Brain and Nervous System

10 major diseases continued 6. Endocrine System Diseases 7. Infectious and parasitic diseases 8. Pregnancy and Childbirth related 9. Inherited diseases 10. Environmentally-acquired diseases