AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
Diseases, both communicable and non-communicable, are major causes of ill…
Full specification wording
Health issues: Diseases, both communicable and non-communicable, are major causes of ill health.
Ill health can be caused by many factors, but diseases are major contributors.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 3 of 10
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Ill health can be caused by many factors, but diseases are major contributors. Communicable diseases are caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and protists, and can be transmitted from person to person or from other organisms. Examples include influenza, malaria and tuberculosis. Non-communicable diseases are not caused by pathogens and cannot be transmitted between people. They include conditions such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and asthma. Both types of disease can cause physical and mental ill health, reduce quality of life, and may lead to death. They also place a burden on healthcare systems. Understanding the difference between communicable and non-communicable diseases is essential for studying health issues and planning prevention strategies.
What earns the marks
- Communicable diseases are caused by pathogens and can be transmitted between individuals.
- Non-communicable diseases are not caused by pathogens and are not transmissible.
- Examples of communicable diseases include influenza, malaria and tuberculosis.
- Examples of non-communicable diseases include cancer, diabetes and heart disease.
- Diseases can cause physical and mental ill health and can be fatal.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Thinking that all diseases are communicable.
Put it right: Many diseases, such as cancer and diabetes, are non-communicable.
Believing that non-communicable diseases cannot be serious.
Put it right: Non-communicable diseases are major causes of ill health and death worldwide.
Confusing the cause of communicable diseases with that of non-communicable diseases.
Put it right: Communicable diseases are caused by pathogens, while non-communicable diseases have other causes such as genetics, lifestyle or environment.
Exam tips
- Learn the definitions of communicable and non-communicable diseases and be able to give examples of each.
- When asked about causes of ill health, mention both types of disease and give specific examples.
- Use the terms 'communicable' and 'non-communicable' correctly in your answers.
Try the lesson
The start of the Health issues: Diseases, both communicable and non-communicable, are major causes of ill health. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which of these is a communicable disease?
Listen
Ill health can be caused by many factors, but diseases are major contributors. Communicable diseases are caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and protists, and can be transmitted from person to person or from other organisms. Examples include influenza, malaria and tuberculosis. Non-communicable diseases are not caused by pathogens and cannot be transmitted between people. They include conditions such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and asthma. Both types of disease can cause physical and mental ill health, reduce quality of life, and may lead to death. They also place a burden on healthcare systems. Understanding the difference between communicable and non-communicable diseases is essential for studying health issues and planning prevention strategies. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Communicable diseases are caused by pathogens and can be transmitted between individuals. Non-communicable diseases are not caused by pathogens and are not transmissible. Examples of communicable diseases include influenza, malaria and tuberculosis. Examples of non-communicable diseases include cancer, diabetes and heart disease. A common slip: Thinking that all diseases are communicable. Instead, many diseases, such as cancer and diabetes, are non-communicable. Exam tip: Learn the definitions of communicable and non-communicable diseases and be able to give examples of each.
See it
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Communicable diseases
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Non-communicable diseases
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Pathogens
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Causes of ill health
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See every definition
- Communicable diseases
- Diseases caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and protists, and can be transmitted from person to person or from other organisms.
- Non-communicable diseases
- Diseases not caused by pathogens and cannot be transmitted between people, including conditions such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and asthma.
- Pathogens
- Bacteria, viruses, fungi and protists that cause communicable diseases.
- Causes of ill health
- Diseases, both communicable and non-communicable, are major causes of ill health.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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