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Changes in the
nature of work from hard physical labour to more sedentary types of work has lead to
changes in activity levels. This, together with greater access to increased amounts of
foods has lead to an increase, not in under-nutrition (in the post-industrial nations),
but over-nutrition. Diseases of over-nutrition and inactivity, principally hypertension
and diabetes, are becoming among the most important health problems we will face and are
set to become even more important. This has been exacerbated by increased reliance on
motorized transport. In parts of the world where these infrastructural
developments have not happened, high levels of infant mortality persist. Providing
education to girls and easy access to clean drinking water are the most effective ways to
bring down infant mortality. (see lecture on Geographic Variations in GI diseases, GI
Block, year 2) |
