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Topic last updated: 09 Nov 2023
    • Biology Biology
    • Ico Science Science
    • 14-16
    • 120

Health, disease and the development of medicines

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Non-communicable disease

Non-communicable diseases are not caused by pathogens and are not infectious. This means that they are not transmitted between people, and that they are caused by factors in the environment, the individual’s lifestyle, or genetics.  

Human activity is changing the environment and is increasing air pollution, which also means that non-communicable diseases are on the rise. In fact, the World Health Organization states that 94% of all air pollution related deaths are due to non-communicable diseases. Below are just two examples of non-communicable diseases and their correlation with climate change, though climate change also correlates with heart disease, dementia, strokes and many others.