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Cheat Sheet: Health Issues, Diseases and Medicine | Science & Technology for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Key Definitions

  • Health (WHO): Complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely absence of disease.
  • Communicable Diseases: Spread from person/animal to person (e.g., TB, COVID-19).
  • Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): Not spread person-to-person (e.g., diabetes, cancer).
  • Zoonotic Diseases: Transmit from animals to humans (e.g., rabies, Nipah).
  • Epidemic: Sudden disease outbreak in a region.
  • Pandemic: Global spread of disease.
  • Endemic: Constant presence in an area.

Disease Classification

Cheat Sheet: Health Issues, Diseases and Medicine | Science & Technology for UPSC CSE

Major Global & Indian Health Issues

  • NCDs rising – India’s double disease burden (NCDs + infectious diseases).
  • Vector-Borne Diseases – Malaria, Dengue, Chikungunya, Japanese Encephalitis.
  • Maternal & Child Health – Malnutrition, neonatal deaths.
  • AMR (Antimicrobial Resistance) – Overuse/misuse of antibiotics.
  • Mental Health Crisis – Depression, anxiety, suicide.
  • Emerging & Re-emerging Diseases – COVID-19, Nipah, Monkeypox.
  • Climate-linked Health Risks – Heat stroke, waterborne diseases, vector spread.

Key National Health Programmes

Cheat Sheet: Health Issues, Diseases and Medicine | Science & Technology for UPSC CSE

International Initiatives

  • WHO – Global health governance.
  • GAVI – Vaccine Alliance.
  • Global Fund – Fights AIDS, TB, malaria.
  • International Health Regulations (IHR) – Pandemic preparedness.
  • SDG 3 – Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being.

Medicines & Technologies

  • Vaccines – Preventive (polio, measles), therapeutic (cancer trials).
  • Diagnostics – RT-PCR, ELISA, rapid antigen tests.
  • New Therapies – mRNA vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, gene therapy.
  • Traditional Medicine – AYUSH integration.
  • Telemedicine – Digital health access.

Government Bodies

  • MoHFW – Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
  • ICMR – Medical research.
  • NCDC – Disease control.
  • CDSCO – Drug regulation.
  • AYUSH Ministry – Traditional systems.

Current Challenges

  • Low public health spending (~2% of GDP).
  • Rural-urban healthcare gap.
  • Shortage of healthcare workers.
  • Vaccine hesitancy.
  • Rising AMR.
  • Climate change & pandemics.
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FAQs on Cheat Sheet: Health Issues, Diseases and Medicine - Science & Technology for UPSC CSE

1. What are the major global health issues affecting populations today?
Ans. Major global health issues include infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis, as well as non-communicable diseases like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer. Other significant issues are mental health disorders, maternal and child health, and the impact of environmental factors like pollution and climate change on health.
2. How are diseases classified in modern medicine?
Ans. Diseases are classified using various systems, with the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) being the most widely used. This system categorizes diseases based on their etiology, pathophysiology, and clinical features. Other classifications may include the classification of diseases into communicable and non-communicable, acute and chronic, and by organ systems.
3. What are the key national health programs in India?
Ans. Key national health programs in India include the National Health Mission (NHM), which aims to provide accessible and affordable healthcare, the National AIDS Control Program, and the Reproductive and Child Health Program. Other important initiatives focus on diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, and leprosy, as well as initiatives addressing mental health and nutrition.
4. What international initiatives are in place to combat global health challenges?
Ans. International initiatives include the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Health Strategy, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) focusing on health, and programs like GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, which aims to increase immunization rates worldwide. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria also plays a significant role in addressing these diseases.
5. What are the current challenges faced by government bodies in managing health issues?
Ans. Current challenges include inadequate healthcare infrastructure, limited access to essential medicines and technologies, rising healthcare costs, and the need for better healthcare policies. Additionally, challenges such as health disparities among different populations, the impact of climate change on health, and managing emerging infectious diseases complicate public health efforts.
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