B2 - Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factors

What is a risk factor?

A factor that is linked to an increase in the likelihood that a person will develop a certain disease during their lifetime.

What are some examples of risk factors?

Smoking can cause cardiovascular disease, long disease and lung cancer. Obesity is thought to cause diabetes type 2. Drinking alcohol can cause liver disease. Exposure to carcinogens can cause cancer. Smoking or drinking alcohol when pregnant can cause health problems for the unborn baby.

How can non-communicable diseases be costly for human cost?

Tens of millions of people die from non-communicable diseases each year.

How can non-communicable diseases be costly for financial reasons?

The family of someone with a disease may have to move or adapt their home or income reduced if the person has to give up work or dies. On a national level, the cost of researching and treating diseases is huge.