Although the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) burden has grown, India still does not have sufficiently detailed data on NCDs for research and policy purposes.
Communicable Diseases
Communicable diseases, also known as infectious diseases or transmissible diseases, are illnesses that result from the infection, presence and growth of pathogenic (capable of causing disease) biological agents in an individual human or other animal host. Infections may range in severity from asymptomatic (without symptoms) to severe and fatal. The term infection does not have the same meaning as infectious disease because some infections do not cause illness in a host.
Non-Communicable Diseases
Non-communicable diseases are diseases of long duration and generally slow progression. The four major types of non-communicable diseases are cardiovascular diseases (like heart attacks and stroke), cancer, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructed pulmonary disease and asthma) and diabetes.
Challenges in the field of NCDs in India
Difference between CDs and NCDs |
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Basis for |
Communicable Disease |
Non-Communicable Disease |
Meaning |
The diseases spread from person to another; they are ‘catching’ disease and can spread through air, water, etc. |
The diseases which do not spread from one person to another through any mode. |
Cause |
Caused by pathogens and considered as highly infectious and vectors play the major role in spreading disease from one person to another. |
Caused due to allergy, illness, malnutrition or abnormalities in cell proliferation. Changes in lifestyle, environment plays a significant role. |
Infecting Agent |
Bacteria, Virus, etc. |
No infectious agents |
Example |
Tuberculosis, AIDS, Typhoid, Cholera, Malaria. |
Cancer, Rickets, Allergies, Kwashiorkor, Diabetes, Heart disease, etc. |
Inheritance |
These diseases cannot be inherited from one generation to another. |
These diseases can be inherited. |
Treatment |
Treated by conventional methods. |
Treated conservatively or surgically. |
Nature |
Acute (develop quickly) |
Chronic (develop slowly and last for long-period). |