Environmental and Lifestyle Impacts on Human Health

Environmental Influence on Health

Health determinants are the conditions that influence health status. These are distinguished by physical, social, and political influences within a social organization.

Determinants of Health Factors

• Food: Linked to lifestyle.
• Pollution: Environmental factors.
• Obesity: Linked to biology and lifestyle.
• Alcohol: Linked to lifestyle.
• Hereditary Diseases: Linked to biology.

Health Determinants Changed by Human Activity

Environmental factors can change because we can alter the area where we live or move to another country. Factors linked to lifestyle and healthcare assistance change because we can choose our diet, decide whether to use drugs, and manage our medical care.

Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease

Key risk factors include hypertension, obesity, and the consumption of coffee.

Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases

Communicable (Transferable) Diseases

• Influenza, chickenpox, and pneumonia.

Non-Communicable (Intransmissible) Diseases

• Cerebral palsy, diabetes, epilepsy, and meningitis.

Impact of AIDS in Developing Countries

AIDS causes more deaths in poor countries because they lack medical attention and medication, lack protection methods such as condoms, and suffer from inadequate nutrition and hygiene.

Cholesterol and Cardiovascular Risk

High cholesterol is a risk factor because it appears on the arterial walls along with calcium and other components, leading to atherosclerotic plaques. Additionally, an inflammatory process can cause these plaques to rupture, hindering blood movement and promoting thrombus formation.

How Tobacco Affects Cardiovascular Health

Tobacco smoke causes an acute increase in blood pressure and heart rate because it stimulates the nervous system endings and increases plasma catecholamines. Both treated hypertensive and normotensive smokers present higher daytime blood pressure values compared to non-smokers.

The Link Between Diabetes and Obesity

There is a clear relationship; body fat is related to blood pressure, where excess fat leads to hypertension. Furthermore, alterations in carbohydrate metabolism often coexist with hyperlipidemia.