Public Health Unit 4

when understanding disease and illness, what two groups do we break disease into?

communicable and chronic

Communicable disease definition

transmitted

Chronic disease definition

caused by a myriad of factors (multiple and long lasting), non-transmissible

How we “won” public health?

immunization, antibiotics, purification of water, proper disposal of sewage, pasteurization of milk, improved nutrition and personal hygiene

Step 1 of Chain of Causation

microorganism

What are examples of microorganisms?

Bacteria, virus, fungus, and parasite

Step 2 of Chain of Causation

reservoir/source

Example of reservoir/source

habitat for organism (humans, animals, air, food, water, equipment)

Step 3 of Chain of Causation

port of exit

Example of port of exit

secretions (saliva, urine, feces)

Step 4 of Chain of Causation

modes of transport

Example of modes of transport

contact, droplet, airborne, vector, fomites

Step 5 of Chain of Causation

port of entry

Example of port of entry

mucosa lining, open wound, oral, respiratory tract, urinary tract

Step 6 of Chain of Causation

susceptible host

Example of susceptible host

very young, elderly, those with chronic diseases, malnourished, immunocompromised

Examples of how to break the chain

kill pathogen, eliminate reservoir, prevent transmission (hand washing and quarantine), condoms, increases resistance in host

Examples of how to increase resistance in host

vaccines, increase vitamin A to help prevent measles

Two Examples of Bacteria

tuberculosis and tetanus

Two Examples of Viruses

smallpox and hepatitis

Two Examples of Parasites

malaria and giardiasis

Transmission Examples

directly from person to person, aerosol, contaminated object, sexual contact, vectors, carriers, fecal-oral route

Drawbacks of Vaccines

could harm indivudlas with specific illness (Guillain-Barré syndrome)

Controversy of Vaccines

religious beliefs

Ro

reproductive rate for every 1 person that is infected

Formula for calculating herd immunity

1-(1/Ro)= percentage of people who have to get vaccinated to achieve herd immunity

Elimination Status Definition

cases dont exceed endemic rates

Examples of Chronic Disease

cardiovascular disease, hypertension, cancer, diabetes

What kind of prevention is important in chronic disease?

secondary prevention (screening)

What kind of subjects are chronic disease studies done on?

animals, mice mostly for ethical reasons (PETA) and similar DNA

Which density proteins are good to have a lot of in cholesterol screening?

high density protein

Hypertension Definition

high blood pressure (normal is 120/80)

Cancer Definition

category of disease, DNA mutation of cells in an uncontrollable fashion

What does Hep B cause?

liver cancer

How to prevent Hep B?

vaccinate

Type 1 Diabetes Definition

juvenile diabetes, genetic, (body doesn’t produce insulin), amputations are common for untreated (lack of healthcare access)

Type 2 Diabetes Definition

pancreas produces insulin but the body is insulin resistant, later onset

What type of prevention is important for type 2 diabetes prevention?

secondary prevention, screening, medication for pre diabetics to prevent actual onset of diabetes (glp-1)

Genetic Disease Definition

caused by DNA mutation, 1 or 2 copies to pass on

Examples of Genetic Markers

BRCA1 and BRCA 2 (breast cancer and uterine cancer)

What is the secondary measure in the process of BRCA?

screening

What is the tertiary measure in BRCA?

prophylactic mastectomy

Another example of genetic disease

sickle cell disease (now can screen embryos)