Environmental Health
A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being
Health
Illnesses that spread easily from person to person through direct or indirect contact
Communicable diseases
Examines how environmental changes threaten the health of humans and natural communities
Conservation Medicine
_ is the study of poisons and their effects on living systems.
Toxicology
When toxic burden is on organisms low on the food chain and then accumulated up the food chain by predators
Biomagnification
An abnormal change in the body's condition that impairs physical or psychological function
Disease
Infectious diseases are responsible for what fraction of disease related deaths
1/3
Diseases spread within a biological community
Ecological diseases
Substances that activate the immune system
Allergens
What is the difference between acute and chronic health effects?
Acute- effects from a single exposure
Chronic- long lasting or permanent effects from repeated exposure
This global tool quantifies health loss from diseases and injuries to help improve health systems.
The Global Burden of Disease (GBD)
Name 3 factors that increase the likelihood of death from infectious disease
Poor nutrition, poor sanitation, lack of or low vaccination
What percentage of antibiotics prescribed in the US are unneccessary?
50%
Substances that are recognized as "foreign" by white blood cells and stimulate the production of specific antibodies
Antigens
An _________ dose refers to a beneficial effect such as relief of pain.
Effective
Describe the difference between morbidity and mortality.
Morbidity-rate of illness
Mortality-frequency of death
Cholera
WHO (world health organization) estimates that 90% of the disease burden is on developing countries but only ______% of healthcare dollars are spent there
10%
Toxins that specifically cause abnormalities during embryonic growth and development
Teratogens
_______ is the statistically derived maximum dose of a toxin at which 50% of the group of organisms would be expected to die.
LD50 (Lethal Dose 50%)
Name 3 environmental health risks
Answers will vary: toxins, pollution, radiation, infectious agents, trauma
What is the causitive agent of mad cow disease?
A prion
Considering antibiotic resistance, why is the overprescription of antibiotics a serious concern in conservation medicine?
It leads to bacteria evolving resistance, making infections harder to treat
Give 2 examples of mutagens
Answers will vary: UV radiation, x-rays, cigarettes, nitrate/nitrite preservatives, HPV, etc.
Which group of people are most affected by natural disasters?
Those with with chronic diseases