Are Distinctions Between Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases Still Useful? Why We Should Care, with Paul McDonald
Since its inception in the early 1960s there has been a rapid increase in use of the term non-communicable disease (NCD). The term generally refers to conditions which are not passed from person to person, caused by biological pathogens, are of long duration and slow in progression. It is a kind of grab bag of conditions left after distinguishing communicable/infectious diseases and injuries. Major NCDs include cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, various autoimmune and neurodegenerative conditions, as well as many mental health conditions.
Prevention, treatment and research for NCDs have largely focused on hereditary and biological foundations, as well so called “lifestyle choices” (many of which are common across major NCDs). More recently, research has shown that the origins, manifestations, prevention and treatment success for NCDs are related to an array of social, economic, political, commercial, geographic, environmental, developmental, and biological factors. Moreover, it is increasing difficult to differentiate between communicable and non-communicable conditions. Both can be chronic. Both can be related to biological pathogens. Both can have different rates of progression. Finally, some NCDs spread through social networks and exposures.
Paul McDonald will argue that, given this new knowledge, the term non-communicable disease may no longer be useful. Indeed, it may inhibit our ability to think about new directions for research, prevention, and treatment.
In preparation for this seminar, Dr. McDonald has recommended reading Convergence of non-communicable and infectious diseases in low- and middle-income countries.
Speaker Profile
Paul McDonald is a Professor Emeritus and former Dean of the Faculty of Health, as well as a Senior Research Fellow in the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research at York University. Prior to joining York he served as the founding Pro Vice Chancellor of the College of Health at Massey University in New Zealand, Professor and founding Director of the School of Public Health and Health Systems, as well as Chair of the Department of Health Studies and Gerontology, and Director of the Population Health Research Group at the University of Waterloo, Canada. Paul has also served as a senior manager in public health and on various boards of hospitals, regional health authorities, non-profit health organizations, and international agencies. He has been a policy consultant to governments and non-profit organizations in North America, Australia, Europe, and Asia. He has organized multiple national and international conferences related to public and global health.
Paul holds a PhD in health studies with a specialization in population health (University of Waterloo), a master’s degree in clinical psychology (University of Western Ontario) and an Honours BA in psychology (Waterloo). His research focuses on using research and broad intervention methods to improve public, population, and global health primarily through the prevention and management of chronic diseases, the advancement of wellbeing, and the organization of health care systems. Professor McDonald has published >200 scientific papers and reports. His research has been used to develop an array of innovative public health interventions around the world including telephone helplines and self-help programs for smoking cessation, pictorial warnings on tobacco packages, evidence informed healthy public policy, and health promotion campaigns. Paul is a Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health (U.K.) and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.
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