• Cardiovascular disease (CVD)
• Cancer (skin, breast, lung)
• Diabetes
• Respiratory disease
• Injury
• Mental health problems and illnesses

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)

• Encompasses coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, heart failure, atherosclerosis
• Accumulation of cholesterol in arteries can cause hypertension
• Encompasses 35% of overall deaths
• Risks include smoking, lack of physical activity, obesity, poor diet, heredity
• High prevalence in males since they ignore early signs
• ATSIs are at higher risk because of elevated levels of smoking and uncontrolled diet
• Urbanization can be an environmental determinant as it decreases physical activity

Cancer (Skin, Breast, Lung)

• Skin
  • Caused due to excessive exposure in the sun
  • Accounts for 80% of newly diagnosed cancers
  • Risk factors include: outdoor labour, sun exposure during 10am-3pm, sun exposure during childhood, fair skin etc.
  • Family history can be a sociocultural determinant
  • Having to work in outdoor jobs without protective equipments due to low socioeconomic status as well as unaware of protective strategies
  • Demographics could be an important economic determinant (some regions are near the equator being genuinely warm)
• Breast Cancer
  • Each year 145 males and 15600 females are diagnosed with breast cancer
  • Risk factors include Age, Gender, Family history, Late pregnancy or menopause, Early onset of menstruation
  • Caucasians are at greater risk of breast cancer development
  • People residing in rural areas do not have access to health facilities and aren’t aware of self screening methods
• Lung
  • Leading cancer type in terms of death rate
  • Risk factors include: smoking, radioactive gas, passive smoking, asbestos, family history, metal/coal/gas exposure, previous lung diseases
  • ATSIs are at higher risks along with individuals who are exposed to smoke due to occupational hazard
  • Uneducated individuals are more likely to smoke because of not being aware of its effect on the smoker as well as surrounding people
  • Industrialization is leading to emission of poisonous gases which when inhaled can cause cancer

 Diabetes

• A medical condition where glucose levels in blood elevate.
• Can be of two categories:
  • Type 1: The pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin for glucose metabolism.
  • Type 2: The pancreas is able to produce insulin but the cells aren’t responsive to insulin.
• Common symptoms include:
  • Polyurea
  • Polydipsia
  • Polyphagia
• Risk factors include: Poor lifestyle, obesity, alcohol, age, genetics, no physical activity, high fat/sugar diet
• People with zero control over eating habits often have fluctuating blood sugar.
• Awareness campaigns could promote lifestyle changes from sedentary to active
• Best to seek medical care if symptoms worsen.

Respiratory Disease

• Conditions range from minor to lethal clinical dispositions
• Characterized by shortness of breath, even while performing less intense tasks
• Localization of diseases are spanned throughout:
  • nose
  • throat
  • upper and lower airways
  • lungs
• Examples: asthma, hay fever, chronic sinusitis, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Injury

• Health aberration due to a sudden external force
• Examples include: accidents, workplace hazard, violence, poisoning
• Can also result from sports and exercises

Mental Health Problems and Illnesses

• Affects overall cognitive abilities and daily activities
• Often a person zones out of his surroundings, experiencing flashbacks and unable to cope with surroundings
• Mental disorders can include non-psychotic illness, such as depression, eating disorders and anxiety disorders; or psychotic illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression.