Health

• Communicable diseases


  Also known as infectious diseases, illnesses caused by infectious agents or pathogens that can be transmitted from person to person, directly or indirectly
• Means of communicable disease transmission

  • Respiratory droplets
  • Contaminated food or water
  • Sexual contact
  • Insect bites
  • Contact with contaminated surfaces
• Communicable diseases


  • Influenza (Flu)
  • Tuberculosis (TB)
  • HIV/AIDS
• Influenza (Flu)


  Highly contagious viral infection that affects the respiratory system, caused by influenza viruses and typically spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, fatigue, and sometimes, vomiting and diarrhea
• Tuberculosis (TB)


  Bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, primarily affects the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body, transmitted through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, symptoms include coughing, chest pain, fatigue, weight loss, fever, and night sweats
• HIV/AIDS


  Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the immune system, weakening the body's ability to fight off infections and diseases, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the most advanced stage of HIV infection, transmitted through the exchange of certain body fluids, such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk
• Communicable diseases are a significant global health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries with limited access to healthcare, sanitation, and vaccination programs
• Effective prevention and control measures for communicable diseases

  • Vaccination
  • Infection control practices (e.g., hand hygiene, wearing masks)
  • Vector control
  • Surveillance
  • Early detection and treatment of cases
• Global efforts, such as immunization campaigns and disease eradication initiatives, have been instrumental in reducing the burden of communicable diseases
• Non-communicable diseases


  Also known as chronic diseases, medical conditions that are not infectious and cannot be transmitted from person to person, typically develop over time and are often influenced by genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors
• Non-communicable diseases


  • Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs)
  • Diabetes
  • Cancer
• Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs)


  Conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels, such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, stroke, and hypertension (high blood pressure), risk factors include unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, and diabetes
• Diabetes


  Chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) resulting from defects in insulin production, insulin action, or both, includes Type 1 diabetes (autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing cells) and Type 2 diabetes (primarily due to insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency), can lead to serious complications
• Cancer


  Group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells, more than 100 types of cancer, risk factors include tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, exposure to carcinogens, infections, and genetic factors
• Non-communicable diseases are the leading cause of death globally, accounting for approximately 71% of all deaths worldwide
• Risk factors for non-communicable diseases

  • Unhealthy diet
  • Physical inactivity
  • Tobacco use
  • Harmful use of alcohol
  • Pollution
  • Exposure to certain chemicals
• Prevention and control of non-communicable diseases require a multi-faceted approach that addresses underlying risk factors and promotes healthy behaviors across the lifespan
• Both communicable and non-communicable diseases pose significant public health challenges globally and require comprehensive approaches to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment