Diseases of affluence refer to diseases that result from increasing wealth in a society, in contrast to diseases of poverty. Examples include type 2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and certain cancers. These diseases are considered non-communicable. Factors that contribute to diseases of affluence include less physical exercise due to more sedentary jobs and transportation, easy access to inexpensive but unhealthy food, processed and pre-cooked foods, prolonged periods of inactivity, greater alcohol and tobacco use, and stress from long work hours and independent living. Public health experts now argue that while risks of diseases of poverty have decreased, diseases of affluence pose a major social and economic burden on societies.

1. Diseases of affluence

2. Diseases of affluence Diseases of affluence are those diseases which are thought to be a result of increasing wealth in a society, in contrast to diseases of poverty which result from impoverishment.

3. Diseases of affluence List as many diseases of affluence you can think of. Try to link a cause to each named example.

4. Diseases of affluence Examples of diseases of affluence include: type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, obesity, certain forms of cancer, asthma, alcoholism, depression, and allergies, as well as a major range of other psychiatric illnesses. What is meant by each of these?

5. Diseases of affluence Characteristics of disease of affluence These diseases are categorized as non-communicable diseases, whereas the diseases of poverty tend to be largely communicable either through infection, inadequate safety or environmental health regulations, or poor hygiene.

6. Diseases of affluence List all the factors you can think of that may cause the diseases of affluence.

7. Diseases of affluence Less strenuous physical exercise, often through increased use of a car Easy accessibility in society to large amounts of low-cost food (relative to the much-lower caloric food availability in a subsistence economy) More food generally, with much less physical exertion expended to obtain a moderate amount of food More high fat and high sugar foods in the diet are common in the affluent developed economies of the late-twentieth century More foods which are processed, cooked, and commercially provided (rather than seasonal, fresh foods prepared locally at time of eating) Increased leisure time Prolonged periods of inactivity Greater use of alcohol and tobacco Longer life-spans . Explain how these cause disease.

8. Diseases of affluence Cardiovascular disease Read the article and summarise the main findings. This can take the form of a Mind Map

9. Diseases of affluence Nutrition and exercise There are a number of reasons why affluence brings ill-health. One of the most important is lack of exercise. People in tertiary sector jobs are desk-bound and commute long distances by car or public transport, rather than walk. Longer hours and longer distances to commute also mean less time to cook healthy food. Fast food or convenience food, the consumption of much more food than can be used , and less movement all set people up for obesity, high blood pressure, and general poor fitness. Obesity in particular is thought to increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes and some kinds of cancer

10. Diseases of affluence Medical advances There are other factors in making people susceptible to diseases of affluence. Less exposure to pathogens and agents of infection from infancy on, and greater reliance on medication and antibiotics leave people with lower natural immunity than is usual, while longer lifespans inevitably increase the rate of old-age diseases. The conditions are ideal for the development of allergies, autoimmune diseases and asthma, among others.

11. Diseases of affluence Social factors Finally, more stress, longer work hours, and weakened social bonds resulting from independant housing, less leisure time and more car time, make alcohol, cigarettes and the like a common habit that often borders on substance abuse. Depression and other psychiatric disorders thrive, or are at least diagnosed more often.

12. Diseases of affluence Public health and sociological issues Traditionally, diseases of affluence have been thought to be more prevalant in developed countries but in the last ten years there has been a spike in numbers for virtually all in fast-growing developing countries such as China and India. In addition, in many developed countries the incidence of diseaes of affluence like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease and some cancers are ironically higher among the poorest section of society. Food is abundant and cheap, but of such poor quality as to have minimal nutrition.

13. Diseases of affluence Public health experts and sociologists now suggest that the reduced risk of diseases of poverty – communicable, water- and food-borne diseases like tuberculosis, typhoid, malaria, and infections – does not adequately compensate for the increased social cost as well as morbidity rates due to diseases of development or affluence. Others say the entire paradigm needs to be revisited, because of the medicalisation of society and individuals' problems.

14. Diseases of affluence Affluence

15. Diseases of affluence Consumption of alcohol

16. Diseases of affluence Diabetes

17. Diseases of affluence Public Health Spending

18. Diseases of affluence Private Health Spending

19. Diseases of affluence Healthcare – number of doctors

20. Diseases of affluence

21. Diseases of affluence