Health means physical and mental well-being. Diet, stress and life situations can affect both. Communicable diseases can spread between organisms; non-communicable diseases do not pass directly from person to person.
A risk factor is linked with an increased chance of disease; it does not guarantee that a person will become ill. Many diseases result from several interacting factors.
| Factor | Relevant effect or link |
|---|---|
| Smoking | Lung disease, lung cancer and cardiovascular disease; can harm an unborn baby. |
| Diet and physical activity | Affect cardiovascular disease risk. Obesity is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. |
| Alcohol | Can damage liver and brain function; can harm an unborn baby. |
| Carcinogens | Substances or exposures that increase cancer risk, including ionising radiation. |
| Genes | Inherited variants can increase the risk of some cancers. |
A correlation is a pattern between two variables. Correlation alone does not prove cause. Other factors may explain the link. Use large, representative samples, consider confounding factors and compare rates, not just raw case counts. The graph below is illustrative, not real health data.
Cancer results from changes in cells that lead to uncontrolled growth and division. Benign tumours remain contained in one area. Malignant tumours invade neighbouring tissues and may spread through the blood to form secondary tumours. Benign does not always mean harmless.
Immune-system defects increase susceptibility to infections. Some viruses can trigger cancers. Immune reactions triggered by pathogens can lead to allergies. Serious physical illness may affect mental health. Ill health can also affect work, caring responsibilities and healthcare costs.
Health includes body and mind. Risk factors change probability. Cancer involves uncontrolled division.
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