The Tragic Reality of 100 Fatal Diseases and Their Impact on Society
Diseases have been a part of human life since time immemorial. While medical science has made tremendous progress over the years, some diseases still remain incurable, leading to the untimely loss of lives. According to statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), there are about 100 fatal diseases that have claimed millions of lives worldwide. These diseases can broadly be categorized into communicable and non-communicable diseases. In this article, we will explore these diseases and their impact on society.
Communicable Diseases
Communicable diseases are transmitted from one person to another through contact or exposure to contaminated objects or substances. One of the most common communicable diseases is tuberculosis (TB). This disease affects mainly the lungs and is caused by bacteria that spread through the air. According to the WHO, TB is one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide, with an estimated 1.4 million people dying from the disease in 2019.
Malaria is another communicable disease that has a significant impact on society, particularly in Africa. This disease is caused by a parasite that is transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes. According to the WHO, there were an estimated 229 million cases of malaria worldwide in 2019, with the African region accounting for 94% of the total cases. Malaria is also a significant cause of death, with an estimated 409,000 deaths recorded in 2019.
HIV/AIDS is a viral disease that is transmitted through contact with infected blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or breast milk. This disease weakens the immune system and can lead to opportunistic infections and cancer. According to the WHO, there were about 38 million people living with HIV/AIDS in 2019, with about 690,000 deaths recorded in the same year.
Non-Communicable Diseases
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are diseases that are not caused by infectious agents and cannot be transmitted through contact or exposure. Examples of NCDs include cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, with about 10 million deaths recorded in 2020. This disease can affect any part of the body and is caused by abnormal growth and division of cells.
Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by high levels of glucose in the blood. This disease is caused by the inability of the body to produce or use insulin effectively. According to the International Diabetes Federation, there were about 463 million people living with diabetes worldwide in 2019, with about 4.2 million deaths recorded in the same year.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels. These diseases include heart attacks, strokes, and hypertension. According to the WHO, CVDs are the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for about 18 million deaths in 2019.
Conclusion
The impact of fatal diseases such as TB, malaria, HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes, and CVDs on society cannot be overstated. These diseases are responsible for millions of deaths worldwide and have a significant economic impact on countries. While medical science has made tremendous progress in understanding and treating these diseases, more needs to be done in terms of research and prevention. Raising public awareness and taking preventive measures such as vaccination, healthy eating, and regular exercise can go a long way in reducing the impact of these diseases on society.
