Which model explains the shift from infectious to chronic diseases as societies undergo development?

Which model explains the shift from infectious to chronic diseases as societies undergo development?

• A. Epidemiologic Transition Model
• B. Malthus' Principles of Population
• C. Boserup Hypothesis
• D. Neo-Malthusians

Answer: (A)

As societies develop, the pattern of illness and death shifts from infectious, acute diseases to chronic, degenerative conditions as life expectancy rises and living conditions improve. This change is captured by the Epidemiologic Transition Model, which outlines stages where mortality moves from pestilence and famine to receding infectious diseases, then to degenerative and human-created diseases, with some versions adding later refinements like delayed degenerative illnesses and potential reemergence. In the early stages of development, deaths are dominated by infectious diseases and malnutrition. As sanitation, nutrition, vaccines, and medical care improve, deaths from infectious diseases decline, and people live longer. With longer lifespans, chronic illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes become more prevalent, marking the shift described by the model. This explains why development is associated with a move away from infectious causes of death toward chronic ones. Other options focus on population size or resource limits rather than changing disease patterns, so they don’t explain this particular transition as clearly as the Epidemiologic Transition Model.

As societies develop, the pattern of illness and death shifts from infectious, acute diseases to chronic, degenerative conditions as life expectancy rises and living conditions improve. This change is captured by the Epidemiologic Transition Model, which outlines stages where mortality moves from pestilence and famine to receding infectious diseases, then to degenerative and human-created diseases, with some versions adding later refinements like delayed degenerative illnesses and potential reemergence.

In the early stages of development, deaths are dominated by infectious diseases and malnutrition. As sanitation, nutrition, vaccines, and medical care improve, deaths from infectious diseases decline, and people live longer. With longer lifespans, chronic illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes become more prevalent, marking the shift described by the model. This explains why development is associated with a move away from infectious causes of death toward chronic ones.

Other options focus on population size or resource limits rather than changing disease patterns, so they don’t explain this particular transition as clearly as the Epidemiologic Transition Model.