When Mr. Pinho was in third grade, he had a best friend named Vincent. They would ride the bus together. One day, Mr. Pinho asked Vincent why he pricked his finger and put blood on a swab a few times a day. Vincent said he had a disease called diabetes. Mr. Pinho stopped riding the bus with him, not wanting to get a disease. 

1) Work with your group to list as many diseases as you can. 

2) Discuss whether each one is contagious (can spread from one person to another) or not. 

3) Discuss why some diseases can be spread and others can't.  

Today's Question: 

Why can some diseases spread from person to person and others can't? 

Directions: Read the article below outloud in your group (1 paragraph per person). On the whiteboard, make a Venn diagram between communicable and non-communicable diseases. 

1) How are they similar?

2) How are they different? 

Article

Communicable vs. Non-Communicable Diseases: What’s the Difference?

Diseases affect millions of people worldwide, but not all diseases are the same. Some can spread from person to person, while others develop over time due to genetics, lifestyle, or environmental factors. Understanding the difference between communicable and non-communicable diseases is key to preventing and treating them effectively.

Communicable Diseases: The Spreadable Threats
Communicable diseases, also known as infectious diseases, are caused by pathogens like bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. These diseases can spread through direct contact (e.g., touching, kissing), indirect contact (e.g., contaminated surfaces), or vectors like mosquitoes. Examples include the flu, COVID-19, malaria, and tuberculosis.

The immune system is our first line of defense against communicable diseases. When pathogens invade, the body produces antibodies and activates T-cells to fight the infection. Vaccines also play a critical role by training the immune system to recognize and destroy specific pathogens before they cause illness. Public health measures, such as handwashing, quarantine, and clean water access, help reduce the spread of these diseases.

Non-Communicable Diseases: The Silent Challenges
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are not caused by pathogens and cannot spread from person to person. Instead, they develop over time due to a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Common examples include heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and asthma.

Unlike communicable diseases, NCDs are often chronic, meaning they last for years or a lifetime. Risk factors include poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, and exposure to pollution. While NCDs cannot be “caught,” they are the leading cause of death globally. Prevention focuses on healthy habits, such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol.

The Bigger Picture
Both communicable and non-communicable diseases impact global health, but they require different approaches to prevention and treatment. Advances in medicine, such as vaccines for infectious diseases and targeted therapies for cancer, have saved countless lives. However, addressing these challenges also requires addressing social and environmental factors, such as access to healthcare, clean water, and healthy food.

Patient A has a fever and cough. Several coworkers were recently sick with similar symptoms. 

The patient shares an office space with others. 

Is the disease communicable or non-communicable?

Question: Why are the kidneys important? Is Kidney disease communicable or non-communicable?  

TN'T #3: 

Why are the kidneys important? Is Kidney disease communicable or non-communicable?  

Because

But 

So