Maths
Chemistry
Biology
English Language
History
Responding to change (a2 only)
Infection and response
Homeostasis and response
Energy transfers (a2 only)
Cell biology
Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments (a-level only)
Biological molecules
Organisation
Substance exchange
Bioenergetics
Genetic information & variation
Inheritance, variation and evolution
Genetics & ecosystems (a2 only)
Ecology
Cells
Show all topics
Britain & the wider world: 1745 -1901
1l the quest for political stability: germany, 1871-1991
The cold war
Inter-war germany
Medieval period: 1066 -1509
2d religious conflict and the church in england, c1529-c1570
2o democracy and nazism: germany, 1918-1945
1f industrialisation and the people: britain, c1783-1885
1c the tudors: england, 1485-1603
2m wars and welfare: britain in transition, 1906-1957
World war two & the holocaust
2n revolution and dictatorship: russia, 1917-1953
2s the making of modern britain, 1951-2007
World war one
Britain: 1509 -1745
Show all topics
Biology
9 Dec 2025
229
1 page
Harriet Gee @harrietgee
Non-communicable diseases like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes don't spread from person to person, but they're still massive... Show more
Risk factors are like warning signs that increase your chances of getting a disease, but they don't guarantee you'll actually develop it. Think of them as loading the dice against you rather than sealing your fate.
These factors usually come from your lifestyle choices - how much you exercise, what you eat, or whether you smoke. They can also come from your environment, like air pollution in your area or dangerous substances you've been exposed to. For instance, asbestos fibres from old buildings can sit in your lungs for years before causing cancer later in life.
Here's the tricky bit most non-communicable diseases aren't caused by just one risk factor. Instead, several factors work together to increase your risk. It's like a perfect storm of bad choices and unlucky circumstances.
Risk factors affect different places differently. In wealthy countries, people can afford more junk food, leading to higher rates of obesity and diabetes. In poorer areas within those countries, people are more likely to smoke and have worse diets, creating hotspots of disease.
Remember Your personal choices don't just affect you - they influence disease rates in your entire community.
Some risk factors directly attack your body and cause disease. Smoking is a perfect example - it literally damages your artery walls and destroys lung cells, directly causing heart disease, lung disease, and cancer. There's no middleman here.
Obesity works similarly with type 2 diabetes, making your body resistant to insulin so it can't control blood sugar properly. Excessive alcohol directly damages liver cells and can shrink your brain by killing nerve cells.
However, scientists have to be careful about correlation versus causation. Just because two things happen together doesn't mean one causes the other. A lack of exercise and high-fat diets are strongly linked to heart disease, but they don't directly cause it - instead, they lead to high blood pressure and cholesterol, which then cause the actual damage.
Carcinogens are substances that directly cause cancer, like ionising radiation from X-rays or certain chemicals.
The human cost is staggering - tens of millions of people die from these diseases every year worldwide. Beyond death, these diseases reduce quality of life and shorten lifespans, affecting not just patients but their families and friends too.
The financial impact is equally massive. The NHS spends billions researching and treating these diseases. Families often need to modify their homes or stop working to care for sick relatives, creating a double hit of increased expenses and reduced income.
This creates a ripple effect through the entire economy. When fewer people can work due to illness or caring responsibilities, the whole country's productivity suffers. It's a reminder that public health isn't just about individual wellbeing - it's about society's overall strength and prosperity.
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
2
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Explore key concepts of health and disease, including communicable and non-communicable diseases, pathogens, and prevention strategies. This summary covers essential information for GCSE Edexcel Biology, focusing on diseases like cholera, HIV/AIDS, and malaria, along with their symptoms and prevention methods.
BiologyExplore the critical distinctions between communicable and non-communicable diseases, their interactions, and the various factors affecting health. This summary covers disease classification, prevention, and the impact of lifestyle choices on physical and mental well-being.
BiologyExplore key concepts of cardiovascular diseases, including TIAs, strokes, and risk factors. This summary covers non-communicable diseases, pathogens, and the role of antibiotics in treatment. Ideal for EDEXCEL revision, it provides essential insights into disease prevention and management.
BiologyBiology Health and Disease GCSE
BiologyExplore the intricacies of metabolic pathways in cellular metabolism, including enzyme-substrate interactions, types of inhibition (competitive, non-competitive, feedback), and the roles of anabolic and catabolic processes. This summary provides essential insights into key concepts of metabolism, enzyme activity, and regulation, tailored for Higher Human Biology students.
BiologyExplore the relationships between lifestyle choices and health outcomes in this engaging quiz. Analyze data on alcohol consumption, liver disease, and risk factors for Type 2 Diabetes. Ideal for GCSE Science students preparing for AQA exams, this resource covers key concepts such as non-communicable diseases, obesity, and disease prevention. Enhance your understanding of how lifestyle impacts health.
BiologyQuotes from every main character
English LiteratureApp Store
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Harriet Gee
@harrietgee
Non-communicable diseases like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes don't spread from person to person, but they're still massive health problems worldwide. Understanding the risk factors that increase your chances of developing these diseases - and how they impact both individuals... Show more
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Risk factors are like warning signs that increase your chances of getting a disease, but they don't guarantee you'll actually develop it. Think of them as loading the dice against you rather than sealing your fate.
These factors usually come from your lifestyle choices - how much you exercise, what you eat, or whether you smoke. They can also come from your environment, like air pollution in your area or dangerous substances you've been exposed to. For instance, asbestos fibres from old buildings can sit in your lungs for years before causing cancer later in life.
Here's the tricky bit: most non-communicable diseases aren't caused by just one risk factor. Instead, several factors work together to increase your risk. It's like a perfect storm of bad choices and unlucky circumstances.
Risk factors affect different places differently. In wealthy countries, people can afford more junk food, leading to higher rates of obesity and diabetes. In poorer areas within those countries, people are more likely to smoke and have worse diets, creating hotspots of disease.
Remember: Your personal choices don't just affect you - they influence disease rates in your entire community.
Some risk factors directly attack your body and cause disease. Smoking is a perfect example - it literally damages your artery walls and destroys lung cells, directly causing heart disease, lung disease, and cancer. There's no middleman here.
Obesity works similarly with type 2 diabetes, making your body resistant to insulin so it can't control blood sugar properly. Excessive alcohol directly damages liver cells and can shrink your brain by killing nerve cells.
However, scientists have to be careful about correlation versus causation. Just because two things happen together doesn't mean one causes the other. A lack of exercise and high-fat diets are strongly linked to heart disease, but they don't directly cause it - instead, they lead to high blood pressure and cholesterol, which then cause the actual damage.
Carcinogens are substances that directly cause cancer, like ionising radiation from X-rays or certain chemicals.
The human cost is staggering - tens of millions of people die from these diseases every year worldwide. Beyond death, these diseases reduce quality of life and shorten lifespans, affecting not just patients but their families and friends too.
The financial impact is equally massive. The NHS spends billions researching and treating these diseases. Families often need to modify their homes or stop working to care for sick relatives, creating a double hit of increased expenses and reduced income.
This creates a ripple effect through the entire economy. When fewer people can work due to illness or caring responsibilities, the whole country's productivity suffers. It's a reminder that public health isn't just about individual wellbeing - it's about society's overall strength and prosperity.
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
2
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Explore key concepts of health and disease, including communicable and non-communicable diseases, pathogens, and prevention strategies. This summary covers essential information for GCSE Edexcel Biology, focusing on diseases like cholera, HIV/AIDS, and malaria, along with their symptoms and prevention methods.
BiologyExplore the critical distinctions between communicable and non-communicable diseases, their interactions, and the various factors affecting health. This summary covers disease classification, prevention, and the impact of lifestyle choices on physical and mental well-being.
BiologyExplore key concepts of cardiovascular diseases, including TIAs, strokes, and risk factors. This summary covers non-communicable diseases, pathogens, and the role of antibiotics in treatment. Ideal for EDEXCEL revision, it provides essential insights into disease prevention and management.
BiologyBiology Health and Disease GCSE
BiologyExplore the intricacies of metabolic pathways in cellular metabolism, including enzyme-substrate interactions, types of inhibition (competitive, non-competitive, feedback), and the roles of anabolic and catabolic processes. This summary provides essential insights into key concepts of metabolism, enzyme activity, and regulation, tailored for Higher Human Biology students.
BiologyExplore the relationships between lifestyle choices and health outcomes in this engaging quiz. Analyze data on alcohol consumption, liver disease, and risk factors for Type 2 Diabetes. Ideal for GCSE Science students preparing for AQA exams, this resource covers key concepts such as non-communicable diseases, obesity, and disease prevention. Enhance your understanding of how lifestyle impacts health.
BiologyQuotes from every main character
English LiteratureApp Store
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Biología
Sociology