SPH201 Lecture 7 Chronic and Genetic Diseases

Chronic Diseases

• Definition: Leading causes of death and disability with multiple causes or risk factors.

• Risks: One chronic disease increases the risk of others; long onset period; targets for secondary prevention.SPH201 Lecture 7 Chronic and Genetic Diseases

Levels of Prevention

• Primary Prevention: Eliminating risk factors to prevent disease occurrence.

• Secondary Prevention: Early detection and screening of diseases.

• Tertiary Prevention: Moderating disease effects and preventing early death associated with advanced disease.

Leading Causes of Death (2021)

• Top Causes: Heart disease, Cancer, COVID-19, Unintentional injuries, Stroke, Chronic respiratory diseases.

• Statistics: 10 leading causes accounted for 74.5% of U.S. deaths in 2021.

Root Causes of Leading Causes of Death

• Preventable Causes: Tobacco, poor diet, physical inactivity, alcohol, microbial agents, toxic agents, motor vehicles, firearms, sexual behavior, and illicit drug use.

Factors Influencing Morbidity and Mortality

• Key Factors: Behaviors, genetics, environment, and physiological responses to everyday risks such as pollution and stress.

Tobacco as a Leading Cause of Death

• Causes various health issues including multiple cancers, cardiovascular disease, COPD, and infant deaths.

Poor Diet and Physical Inactivity

• Contributes to obesity, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and various cancers.

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)

• Definition: Also called atherosclerosis; primarily influenced by diet and lifestyle factors such as blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking.

• Cholesterol Levels: Low density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) should be low; high density lipoprotein (good cholesterol) should be high.

Hypertension

• Important risk factor for CVD due to obesity, smoking, stress, and salt consumption.

• Normal BP: Below 120/80; effective secondary prevention exists.

Microbial Agents

• Major cause of death partly due to COVID-19; advancements in medicine but ongoing concerns with climate change and antibiotic resistance.

Toxic Agents

• Evidence of successful environmental health efforts; fifth leading cause of death in the U.S.

Cancer

• Developed from DNA mutations due to chemicals, viruses, and lifestyle factors; 1/3 of cancer deaths caused by tobacco.

1,4-Dioxane Regulation in New York

• New legislation establishes limits on 1,4-dioxane in personal care and household products, with gradual reductions over time.

Diabetes

• A major cause of disability; includes Type 1 (child onset) and Type 2 (adult onset); complications include blindness, kidney failure, and poor wound healing.

Addictions and Alcohol Misuse

• Causes significant morbidity and mortality, including overdose deaths, chronic liver disease, and various accidents; leads to mental health issues.

Public Health Services

• Framework for promoting health includes assessing community health, policy development, and assuring effectiveness.

Regulatory Measures for Alcohol

• Strategies to reduce excessive alcohol use include price regulation, limiting sales hours, and enforcing laws.

Trends in Opioid Overdose Deaths

• Three waves: prescription opioid overdose, heroin overdose, and synthetic opioid overdose since 2010.

Public Health Interventions

• Education: Informing about health behaviors, effective school health programs.

• Regulation: Laws on tobacco, alcohol, and drug restrictions.

• Prohibition: Historical context and current discussions about drug policies.

Medical Marijuana

• Documented benefits include pain relief and nausea reduction; concerns about driving impairment and weight gain.

Discussion Points

• Consider regulations for marijuana legalization and educational messages to improve public understanding.