Key Terms: Environment, Health & Well-being (AQA A Level Geography): Revision Note

Global health - key terms

Attack rate – The proportion of people who contract a disease after exposure during a specific time.

Case mortality rate – The percentage of people who die from a specific disease out of those diagnosed with it.

Communicable disease – A disease that is infectious and can be transmitted from person to person (e.g. malaria, HIV/AIDS).

Crude death rate – The number of deaths per 1,000 people in a population in a given year.

Epidemiological transition model – A model describing the shift in disease patterns over time from infectious to non-communicable diseases as a country develops.

HALE (Healthy Life Expectancy) – The average number of years a person is expected to live in good health, without serious disease or injury.

Infant mortality rate – The number of deaths of infants under one year old per 1,000 live births.

Life expectancy – The average number of years a person can expect to live.

Morbidity – The condition of being ill or having a disease; measured by incidence or prevalence.

Mortality – The incidence of death in a population.

Non-communicable disease – A disease that is not infectious and cannot be transmitted (e.g. cancer, diabetes, asthma).

WHO (World Health Organisation) – A United Nations agency responsible for international public health.

Place and well-being - key terms

Air pollution – Contamination of the air by harmful substances like carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulates; linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Climate – Long-term patterns of temperature, precipitation, and other atmospheric conditions influencing disease patterns.

Environmental health risks – Health hazards linked to environmental conditions such as poor air or water quality.

Hygiene – Practices to maintain health and prevent disease, especially through cleanliness and sanitation.

Indoor pollution – Air pollution from household sources like cooking stoves or fires, often fuelled by biomass.

Particulate matter – Tiny particles in the air that can penetrate lungs and bloodstream, causing health issues.

Sanitation – Access to clean water and facilities for safely disposing of human waste; essential for preventing disease.

Temperature extremes – Can lead to increased rates of heat stroke, pneumonia, and other illnesses.

Topography – Land features like relief and drainage that influence disease spread (e.g. flood-prone areas increase waterborne diseases).

Waterborne diseases – Illnesses caused by pathogens in contaminated water (e.g. cholera, dysentery).

Biological disease - key terms

Anopheles mosquito – The main vector responsible for spreading malaria.

Endemic area – A region where a disease is consistently present.

Incidence – The number of new cases of a disease in a population during a given time.

Malaria – A communicable disease caused by a parasite transmitted through mosquito bites, common in tropical regions.

Prevalence – The total number of people with a disease at a given time.

Stagnant water – Still water bodies that serve as breeding grounds for disease-carrying mosquitoes.

Vector control – Measures to reduce or eliminate disease-carrying organisms (e.g. mosquitoes).

Vulnerability – The susceptibility of individuals or groups to disease based on age, health, poverty, or environment.

Non-communicable disease - key terms

Airborne irritants – Substances like pollen, dust, and pollutants that can trigger asthma attacks.

Asthma – A chronic respiratory disease where airways become inflamed and narrowed, often triggered by environmental or lifestyle factors.

Bronchodilators – Medicines that relax muscles around airways, used to treat asthma.

Chronic disease – A long-term condition that typically progresses slowly (e.g. asthma, diabetes).

Inhalers – Devices delivering medicine to asthma sufferers, often containing bronchodilators or steroids.

Mitigation – Actions taken to reduce the severity or effects of a disease.

Obesity – A lifestyle-related health condition often linked to non-communicable diseases.

Socio-economic factors – Aspects like income, housing, and education that influence disease susceptibility and treatment access.

Triggers – Environmental or biological factors that provoke disease symptoms or flare-ups.