The Epidemiology Transition (DP IB Geography)
Revision Note
Written by: Grace Bower
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
The Disease Continuum
The Epidemiology Transition describes fluctuations in disease and morbidity
It directly links to the Nutrition Transition and Demographic Transition:
Dietary changes occur as countries become more developed
As a result, there are fluctuations in disease and morbidity
As development improves and diets change:
Communicable (infectious) disease rates will go down
Noncommunicable (non-infectious) disease rates will increase
At the beginning of the Epidemiology Transition:
Countries are less developed and mortality rates for communicable diseases are high
There are low rates of non-communicable disease
Towards the end of the Epidemiology Transition:
Development is higher and mortality rates for noncommunicable diseases increase
There are low rates of communicable disease
Where the lines intersect indicates a dual burden of disease:
Both communicable and non-communicable diseases exist
This burden affects some LICs and NEEs e.g. India
The Epidemiology Transition
The Disease Continuum
The Disease Continuum looks at diseases of poverty and diseases of affluence
Diseases of poverty are diseases located in poorer areas. This can be in LICs or areas within HICs:
Diseases of poverty include communicable diseases, parasites and deficiency diseases e.g. HIV/AIDS, malaria, kwashiorkor, tuberculosis and waterborne diseases like cholera
This is a result of poor education, poor sanitation access and hygiene, unsafe water, poor nutrition, and inadequate healthcare
Diseases of affluence are diseases located in richer areas, typically in HICs:
This includes noncommunicable diseases, like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity and some allergies and asthmas
It can also include longevity-related illnesses like dementia (as life expectancy is longer)
May also include mental health issues like stress and depression
This is a result of westernisation, overconsumption of diets and lifestyles and longer life expectancy
Diseases of affluence are steadily making their way into poorer countries as they develop further
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Make sure you know the difference between diseases of poverty and diseases of affluence. You might be asked to discuss the difference between the two. How can the disease continuum relate to the Epidemiological Transition? How can it all be tied in with the Nutrition Transition?
Implications of a Global Ageing Population
Implications of a global ageing population for disease burden
The disease burden is how much strain a health issue places on the population:
The disease burden = morbidity + mortality
It is measured using Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYS)
Higher DALYS indicate a higher disease burden
Burden of disease in 2019, per 100,000 people
Life expectancy is rising, predominantly in HICs. However, it is also rising in LICs as they develop
As life expectancy rises, more people reach old age
In many countries, birth rates are also decreasing:
Rising life expectancy and decreasing birth rates leads to an ageing population
In many countries with an ageing population, a large proportion of the population is older, e.g. Japan or Germany
If there are more older people, there are more old-age-related diseases
These include degenerative diseases like dementia or arthritis, as well as heart conditions and diabetes:
This puts a strain on healthcare systems
There will be a greater demand for workers and infrastructure
More resources go towards this sector of healthcare, leaving other sectors behind
This produces a disease burden as a result of ageing populations
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