7.1: Introduction
The Biomedical Model asserts that diseases have a cause or causes based in human biology. Additionally, risk factors and protective factors may exist as well which increase or decrease a person’s likelihood of developing a disease. This model is very useful in helping to identify, diagnose, and develop treatments for different diseases - whether they are transmissible between humans or not. The more we discover about these causes and factors, the more we can take steps to discover and treat diseases earlier, as well as take steps to prevent these diseases from occurring or progressing. In this chapter, we will go over different types of diseases, and some that are emerging or current concerns. We’ll also discuss how public health is working to address these diseases with detection and prevention efforts.