Health Behaviors & Chronic Disease Notes

Health Behaviors & Chronic Disease Notes

Overview of Health Behavior Epidemiology

  • Behavior Epidemiology Framework

    • Systematic approach for studying health-related behaviors.

    • Aim: To develop evidence-based interventions for improving population health.

    • Stages of the framework:

    • Phase I: Links between health behaviors and chronic diseases (e.g., smoking leading to lung cancer).

    • Phase II: Development of measures to assess health behaviors accurately.

    • Phase III: Identification of factors influencing health behaviors.

    • Phase IV: Evaluation of interventions to promote healthy behaviors.

    • Phase V: Translation of research findings into practice.

Key Concepts: Prevalence vs. Incidence

  • Prevalence

    • Definition: Total number of existing cases of a disease in a population at a given time.

    • Analogy:

    • Think of it as the amount of water in a bathtub. If water is not drained or not cured, the number of deaths may decrease the prevalence.

  • Incidence

    • Definition: The number of new cases of a disease in a population over a certain period.

    • Analogy:

    • Similar to water entering the bathtub while cases (water) are drained out (cured/died getting exhausted).

Heart Disease

  • Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

    • Most common type of heart disease.

    • Affects blood flow to the heart, potentially leading to heart attack.

    • Prevalence Data:

    • 5% of U.S. adults aged 20+ had CAD in 2022.

    • Between 2000 and 2019, incidence of CAD and stroke decreased by ~30%.

    • Key Risk Factors:

    • High blood pressure

    • High cholesterol

    • Smoking

    • Poor diet, physical inactivity, obesity

Cancer

  • Definition:

    • Diseases characterized by uncontrolled cell division, capable of invading other tissues.

    • Over 100 different types of cancer identified.

    • Smoking, obesity, and physically inactivity are all behaviors

    • 1/3 of cancers are contributed from these health behaviors

    • Cancer has down ward trend in general, but colon cancer has an upward trend

  • Risk Factors:

    • Genetic influences, chemicals, radiation, infections, and lifestyle choices like smoking and physical inactivity.

  • Current Statistics:

    • In 2021, reported 1,777,566 new cancer cases in the U.S.

    • Incidence is increasing, with a notable rise in breast cancer rates.

Diabetes

  • Definition: Group of diseases characterized by high blood sugar levels.

  • Types of Diabetes:

    • Type I: The body cannot produce insulin.

    • Type II: Body cannot use insulin effectively, linked to obesity.

  • Current Statistics:

    • 15.8% of U.S. adults diagnosed with diabetes during 2021-2023.

    • Type II diabetes increasing, particularly among young people.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

  • Definition: A group of diseases, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, affecting airflow in the lungs.

  • Prevalence: 4.3% of U.S. adults diagnosed with COPD in 2023.

  • Key Risk Factor: Cigarette smoking is responsible for 80-90% of COPD cases.

Obesity

  • Statistics:

    • 39.8% of U.S. adults classified as obese (2012-2017).

    • Children with obesity are at higher risk of obesity in adulthood.

  • Associated Health Problems:

    • Increased risk of CVD, diabetes, certain cancers, and other health complications.

  • Annual Healthcare Costs: Nearly $173 billion for obesity-related problems in 2020.

Summary of Health Strategies

  • Preventing Chronic Diseases: Focus on healthy dietary habits, physical inactivity, and policymaking to create supportive environments for healthier lifestyles.

  • Community Policies: Promote regular physical activity and easy access to healthy foods.

  • Healthcare Recommendations: Support individual responsibility through access to resources and education on managing weight and preventing chronic diseases.