Chapter 4

Vocabulary
Acute Disease – Diseases which peak in severity of symptoms within three months
Agent – Element that must be present for communicable disease to occur
Airborne Transmission – Particles containing agents that are suspended in the air and typically inhaled
Case – Person who has the disease
Carrier – Person who is well but is capable of spreading a disease
Chain of Infection – Process by which infectious diseases spread
Chronic Disease – When the symptoms of a condition last longer than three months
Communicable – Infectious disease caused by biological agents that can be transmitted from one
individual to another
Communicable Disease Model - Agent, Host, & Environment interactions
Direct Transmission – Transmission of agent through direct contact
Environment – All other factors in the Communicable Disease Model that inhibit or promote disease
transmission
Host – Any susceptible organism invaded by an infectious agent
Indirect Transmission – Transmission of disease with an intermediate step; Vehicle-borne, airborne, or vector-
borne
Infection – The process of lodgment and growth of a biologic agent in the host
Infectivity – The ability of a biological agent to lodge and grow in a host
Intervention – Efforts to control a disease in progress
Non-Communicable – Non-infectious disease that cannot be spread and is generally due to multiple causative
factors
Pathogenicity – The ability of an agent to produce disease
Primary Prevention – Preventive measures that forestall the onset of illness before the disease process begins
Secondary Prevention – Early diagnosis and treatment to limit disability from a disease; e.g. screenings
Tertiary Prevention – Measures to rehabilitate after disability has already occurred
Vector-Borne Transmission – Mechanical or biological transmission of a disease by a living organism
Vehicle-Borne Transmission – Nonliving objects called fomites transfer disease agent

Concepts
Classification of Diseases
1. Communicable v. Non-communicable
- Classified based upon whether or not the disease-causing agent can be transmitted between
individuals
2. Acute v. Chronic
- Classified based upon the duration of symptoms
- May be communicable or non-communicable
Communicable Disease Models
1. Communicable Disease Model (Triangle)
- Infectious disease is transmitted when a susceptible host and a pathogenic agent exist in an
environment conducive to disease transmission
2. Chain of Infection
a. Pathogenic agent leaves a reservoir through a portal of exit
b. Transmission occurs in a direct or indirect method
c. Pathogen enters a susceptible host through a portal of entry
Non-Communicable Disease Models
1. Multicausation Disease Model
- Physical, chemical, biological, and social factors of the environment that contribute to
individual characteristics of the host and contribute to disease
Chapter 8
Vocabulary
Adolescent/Young Adult – People aged 15 to 24
Adults – People aged 25 to 64

Concepts
Adolescents & Young Adults
1. Challenges
a. Adolescents are transitioning from a more secure child-stage and entering the uncertainty of
adulthood
b. Young adults face increased daily demands and increased freedom
2. Demography
- The proportion of adolescents and young adults will increase and become more diverse
- Increased number growing up in single parent households
- Have the lowest proportion of unemployment (varied by race/ethnicity)
3. Health Profile
a. Mortality
- Overall decline in mortality from the past
- Men and African Americans have higher mortality rates
- Unintentional injury is the leading cause of death
b. Morbidity
- Infectious disease
- Resurgence of measles
- STI’s
c. Health Behavior
- Often of period of experimentation that increases the chance of acquiring poor health
habits (e.g. smoking, alcohol abuse, etc.)
Adults
1. Health Profile
a. Mortality
- Overall decline
- Leading cause of deaths are unintentional injuries, cancer, and heart disease
b. Health Behavior
- Many are improving health behaviors
- Smoking, obesity, alcohol use, injury-causing behavior, and screenings should still
improve

Articles
Stokols
Summary: This article discusses ways in which the social ecological theory can be used to develop
practical interventions