Awareness
Types Of Diseases
Infectious Diseases
These diseases are caused by microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. They can spread from person to person through air, water, food, or physical contact.
- Examples: Influenza, Tuberculosis, COVID-19, Malaria
- Prevention: Vaccination, hygiene, proper sanitation
Chronic Diseases
Long-term conditions that often progress slowly and require ongoing medical attention or lifestyle management.
- Examples:Diabetes, Hypertension, Asthma, Arthritis
- Management:Lifestyle changes, medication, regular monitoring
Mental Health Disorders
Affect a person’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being.
- Examples: Depression, Anxiety Disorders, Schizophrenia
- Prevention & Treatment: Counseling, therapy, medication, lifestyle changes
Autoimmune Diseases
The immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues, causing chronic inflammation and organ damage.
- Examples: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis
- Management: Immunosuppressants, lifestyle adjustments, physical therapy
Neurological Disorders
Affect the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, leading to cognitive, motor, and sensory impairments.
- Examples:Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Epilepsy
- Treatment:Medications, rehabilitation, therapy
Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs)
Affect the heart and blood vessels, often caused by unhealthy lifestyle choices and genetic predisposition.
- Examples: Heart Attack, Stroke, Hypertension
- Prevention: Healthy diet, exercise, stress management, avoiding smoking
Causes & Risk Factors
Infectious Disease
Genetics:
- What: Your genes can make you more or less likely to catch certain infections.
- Examples:
- Some people have genes that block HIV (CCR5 gene mutation).
- Others inherit weaker immune systems, making them prone to severe flu or COVID-19.
Lifestyle:
- What: Where you live/work impacts exposure to germs.
- Examples
- Poor diet/sleep: Weakens immunity (e.g., catching colds easily).
- Smoking/alcohol: Damages lungs/liver, raising risks for TB or hepatitis.
Environmental:
- What: Where you live/work impacts exposure to germs.
- Examples
- Climate: Warm/wet areas breed mosquitoes (malaria, dengue).
- Pollution: Dirty air/water spreads cholera or worsens COVID-19.
Chronic Diseases
Genetics:
- You can inherit "faulty genes" that raise your risk./li>
- Example: BRCA gene (linked to breast cancer) or family history of heart disease.
- But genes alone don’t guarantee illness—they just increase chances.
Lifestyle:
Daily choices play a huge role
- Diet: Too much junk food ➔ obesity ➔ diabetes.
- Exercise: Lack of activity ➔ heart issues.
- Smoking/Alcohol: Raises risk of lung disease, liver problems, and cancer.
Environmental:
External factors around you:
- Air/water pollution ➔ lung diseases or cancer.
- Toxic chemicals (e.g., asbestos) ➔ long-term harm.
- Stressful neighborhoods ➔ poor mental health ➔ weak immunity.
Mental Health Disorders
Genetics
- What? Your genes (inherited from parents) can increase the risk of disorders like depression, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder.
- Examples
- If a close family member has a mental illness, you’re more likely to develop one too.
Lifestyle
- What? Daily habits affect mental health:
- Sleep: Poor sleep can worsen anxiety/depression.
- Diet: Lack of nutrients (e.g., vitamin D, omega-3s) may harm brain health.
- Exercise : Regular activity boosts mood (releases "feel-good" chemicals)..
Environmental
- Trauma/Stress Abuse, neglect, bullying, or poverty can damage mental health.
- Social Support: Loneliness or lack of friends/family raises risks.
- Toxins/Pollution:Lead exposure or air pollution may harm brain development.
- Big Events:Pandemics, wars, or natural disasters can trigger disorders.
Autoimmune Diseases
Genetics
- Family history: You’re more likely to get an autoimmune disease if a family member has one.
- Specific genes: Certain genes (like HLA genes) can "glitch" and make your immune system attack your own body. Example: Type 1 diabetes, lupus.
Lifestyle
- Diet: Processed foods, low fiber, or high sugar can worsen inflammation. Gut health matters (think probiotics!).
- Stress: Chronic stress weakens immune control, triggering flare-ups.
Environmental
- Infections: Viruses (e.g., Epstein-Barr) can "trick" the immune system into attacking the body later.
- Toxins: Air pollution, pesticides, or chemicals (like silica) may increase risk..
Neurological Disorders
Genetics
- Inherited Mutations: Some disorders (like Huntington’s disease or muscular dystrophy) are caused by faulty genes passed from parents.
- Risk Genes: Others (e.g., Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s) may not be directly inherited, but certain genes increase your risk.
Lifestyle
- Diet:Poor nutrition (e.g., lack of vitamins) can harm nerves. Obesity/diabetes raises stroke or dementia risk.
- Exercise:Inactivity increases Alzheimer’s risk; exercise protects the brain.
- Sleep:Chronic poor sleep is linked to Alzheimer’s and memory issues.
Environmental
- Toxins:Lead, pesticides, or air pollution can damage the brain (e.g., Parkinson’s risk).
- Infections:Viruses (e.g., Zika) or bacteria (e.g., Lyme disease) may trigger brain inflammation.
- Stress:Chronic stress worsens anxiety, depression, or migraines.
Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs)
Genetics
- Inherited risks:Some genes (like PCSK9 or APOB) can cause high cholesterol or blood pressure, raising CVD risk.
- Family history:If close relatives have heart disease, your risk may be higher.
Lifestyle
- Diet: Too much salt, sugar, or saturated fat → high BP, cholesterol.
- Exercise: Lack of activity → obesity, diabetes, weaker heart.
- Smoking/Alcohol: Damages blood vessels; excess alcohol raises BP.
Environmental
- Air pollution: Tiny particles (PM2.5) inflame blood vessels.
- Noise/Stress: Loud areas → chronic stress → heart strain.
- Access: Poor healthcare or healthy food (“food deserts”) worsen risks.
Myths vs. Facts
Myth 1: Cold weather causes the flu.:
- Fact: The flu is caused by viruses, not cold weather. However, flu spreads more in winter due to indoor crowding and dry air.
Myth 2:Only overweight people get diabetes.
- Fact: While obesity increases the risk, even fit individuals can develop diabetes due to genetics and other factors.
Myth 3: If no one in your family has a genetic disease, you won’t get it.
- Fact: Some genetic mutations can occur spontaneously, even if there's no family history.
Myth 4: Autoimmune diseases are contagious.
- Fact: These diseases occur when the immune system attacks the body, and they are not spread from person to person.
Myth 5: Only men get heart disease.
- Fact: Heart disease is a leading cause of death for both men and women, though symptoms may differ.
Myth 6: Depression is just sadness and can be "snapped out of."
- Fact: Depression is a medical condition caused by chemical imbalances and requires proper treatment.
Myth 8: Biopsies or surgery cause cancer to spread.
- Fact: Standard biopsy and surgical techniques are safe. Spreading cancer during these procedures is extremely rare.
- Delaying diagnosis/treatment due to this fear worsens outcomes.
Disease Stages & Progression
Incubation Period
- Time between exposure to the pathogen and the first symptoms.
- Common in infectious diseases like viral infections.
- No visible symptoms, but the disease is already developing.
Prodromal Stage
- Early, mild symptoms appear (e.g., fatigue, fever, malaise).
- The body's immune system starts responding to the disease
- Often non-specific, making diagnosis difficult.
Acute Stage (Active Disease Phase)
- Full-blown symptoms develop and are most severe.
- The disease is at its peak, and the body actively fights it.
- This stage is critical for medical intervention and treatment.
Decline Stage (Recovery Phase)
Convalescence (Healing & Rehabilitation)
Global Cancer Statistics
Cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide, with incidence and mortality rates shaped by geography, lifestyle, healthcare access, and aging populations. Below is a data-driven overview based on 2023 estimates (GLOBOCAN, WHO, and IARC reports):
| Rank | Most Common Cancers (Incidence) | Most Deadly Cancers (Mortality) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Breast (2.3M) | Lung (1.8M) |
| 2 | Lung (2.2M) | Colorectal (900K) |
| 3 | Colorectal (1.9M) | Liver (830K) |
| 4 | Prostate (1.5M) | Stomach (769K) |
| 5 | Stomach (1.1M) | Breast (685K) |
Prevention & Awareness Campaigns – Global and local initiatives
- Global Initiatives
- World Cancer Day (February 4)
- Led by: Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).
- Focus: "Close the Care Gap" (2022–2024 theme targeting inequities in cancer care).
- Impact: Mobilizes governments, NGOs, and individuals in 170+ countries through education and advocacy.
- WHO’s Global Cancer Initiatives
- Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative:
- Goal: 90% HPV vaccination, 70% screening, and 90% treatment coverage by 2030.
- Tobacco Free Initiative:
- Supports countries in implementing the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) to reduce smoking-related cancers.
- The Pink Ribbon Campaign (Breast Cancer)
- Led by: Susan G. Komen, Breast Cancer Now.
- Focus: Awareness, fundraising for research, and free mammograms for underserved women.
- Global Lung Cancer Coalition (GLCC)
- Focus: Advocacy for early diagnosis, stigma reduction, and smoking cessation programs.
- National Initiatives
- United States
- National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP):
- Provides free screenings to low-income, uninsured women.
- “Truth” Campaign: Targets youth smoking prevention with hard-hitting ads.
- India
- National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP):
- Bans public smoking and mandates graphic warnings on packs.
- Oral Cancer Screening Camps: Focus on tobacco-chewing regions (e.g., Northeast states).
- Kenya
- HPV Vaccine Rollout:School-based programs achieving >80% coverage in girls aged 10–14.
- Australia
- Slip, Slop, Slap Campaign: Sun safety awareness reducing melanoma rates.
- Bowel Cancer Screening Program: Free home-test kits for adults 50–74.
- Brazil
- Pink October (Outubro Rosa):Nationwide breast cancer screenings and education.