Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive mental illness that results in communication blockage between nerve cells, disrupting brain function and corroding memory.
amputation is the surgical removal of all or part of a limb.
aneurysm is the ballooning of the arterial wall due to thinning and weakening. It often results from constant high blood pressure and can lead to a stroke.
angina pectoris refers to chest pain that occurs when the heart has an insufficient supply of oxygenated blood.
arteriosclerosis is the hardening of the arteries whereby artery walls lose their elasticity.
atheroma is a thickened area of fatty and fibrous deposits on the inside surface of arteries, resulting in atherosclerosis.
atherosclerosis is the build-up of fatty and/or fibrous material on the interior walls of arteries.
basal cell carcinoma is a surface skin cancer that originates from the basal cells that underlie the surface cells. It is the most common type of skin cancer.
breast self-examination is a preventative action that involves palpating the breast with flat fingers to detect changes or abnormalities in the breast tissue.
cancer refers to a large group of diseases that are characterised by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells.
carcinogens are cancer-causing agents such as chemicals, pollutants, radiation, cigarette smoke and alcohol.
cardiovascular disease (CVD) refers to damage to, or disease of, the heart, arteries, veins and/or smaller blood vessels.
carer is a person who, through family relationship or friendship, looks after an older person or someone with a disability or chronic illness.
cholesterol is a fatty substance contained in all animal cells.
coronary arteries are the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart muscle.
coronary occlusion is a heart attack (or myocardial infarction) caused by the sudden and complete blockage of blood and oxygen to the heart muscle, leaving the heart muscle damaged.
coronary thrombosis is the formation of an obstructing clot within a coronary artery that is narrowed by atherosclerosis, possibly leading to a heart attack.
83dementia is a condition characterised by a significant loss of intellectual abilities such as memory capacity.
determinant is a factor that can have an impact on a person’s or group’s health status, either positively (protective factors) or negatively (risk factors).
diabetes mellitus is a condition affecting the body’s ability to take glucose from the bloodstream to use it for energy.
disability is defined in terms of the lack of ability to perform everyday functions or activities. It refers to limitations in functional abilities.
electrocardiogram a graphical recording of the cardiac cycle produced by an electrocardiograph.
environmental determinants of health include geographical location, and access to health services and technology.
inequities are unfair differences in levels of health status between groups in a society.
insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps glucose to enter the body cells and be used for energy.
malignant melanoma is a cancer of the body cells that contain pigment (melanin) and mainly affects the skin.
mammographic screening is a process of using a special x-ray of glands, fat and blood vessels under the skin of the breast to identify any variations from the normal or healthy tissue.
metastases are secondary or new tumours, which may develop some distance from the original malignant tumour.
myocardial infarction is a heart attack that is usually due to the complete blockage of a coronary artery and results in the death of some heart tissue.
natural increase is the difference between the number of live births and deaths over a year.
neoplasm is an abnormal mass of cells that forces its way among healthy cells and interferes with their normal functioning.
net overseas migration is the difference between total arrivals and total departures.
Pap smear a screening test to detect cervical cancer cells by taking a sample of cells from the cervix.
peripheral vascular disease is the result of reduced blood flow to the legs and feet, usually due to atherosclerosis and/or arteriosclerosis.
schizophrenia affects the normal functioning of the brain. It is characterised by psychotic symptoms and a reduced range of expressions of emotion.
self-harm (also known as self-injury) refers to the behaviour of deliberately causing pain or damage to a person’s own body, without suicidal intent.
silent infarction is a heart attack without the typical symptoms.
sociocultural determinants of health include family, peers, media, religion and culture.
socioeconomic determinants of health include employment, education and income.
socioeconomic status can be broadly measured by a person’s level of income, education, housing and employment.
squamous cell carcinoma is a surface skin cancer that originates in the squamous or surface cells. It is the fastest growing form of skin cancer.
stroke results from a blockage of the blood flow to the brain.
suicide is a deliberate act of self-inflicted injury, taken by a person with the intention of killing themselves.
tumour is a swelling or enlargement caused by a clump of abnormal cells.
volunteer is a person who offers to perform a service for the community on a voluntary basis.