Diseases of affluence, previously called diseases of rich people, is a term sometimes given to selected diseases and other health conditions which are commonly thought to be a result of increasing wealth in a society. Also referred to as the "Western disease" paradigm, these diseases are in contrast to so-called "diseases of poverty", which largely result from and contribute to human impoverishment. These diseases of affluence have vastly increased in prevalence since the end of World War II.
Examples of diseases of affluence include mostly chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and other physical health conditions for which personal lifestyles and societal conditions associated with economic development are believed to be an important risk factor — such as type 2 diabetes, asthma, coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, obesity, hypertension, cancer, alcoholism, gout, and some types of allergy. They may also be considered to include depression and other mental health conditions associated with increased social isolation and lower levels of psychological well-being observed in many developed countries. Many of these conditions are interrelated, for example obesity is thought to be a partial cause of many other illnesses.
In contrast, the diseases of poverty have tended to be largely infectious diseases, or the result of poor living conditions. These include tuberculosis, malaria, and intestinal diseases. Increasingly, research is finding that diseases thought to be diseases of affluence also appear in large part in the poor. These diseases include obesity and cardiovascular disease and, coupled with infectious diseases, these further increase global health inequalities.
Diseases of affluence started to become more prevalent in developing countries as diseases of poverty decline, longevity increases, and lifestyles change. In 2008, nearly 80% of deaths due to NCDs — including heart disease, strokes, chronic lung diseases, cancers and diabetes — occurred in low- and middle-income countries.
Main instances
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the top 10 causes of deaths in 2019 were from:
Ischemic heart diseases
Stroke
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Lower respiratory infections
Neonatal conditions
Trachea, bronchus, lung cancers
Alzheimer's disease and other dementias
Diarrohoeal diseases
Diabetes
Kidney diseases
Seven of the main causes of death are non-communicable diseases. In 2019 WHO reported 55.4 million deaths worldwide, and more than half (55%), were due to the top causes of death previously mentioned.
Causes
Factors associated with the increase of these conditions and illnesses appear to be things that are a direct result of technological advances. They include: Less strenuous physical exercise, often through increased use of motor vehicles Irregular exercise as a result of office jobs involving no physical labor. Easy accessibility in society to large amounts of low-cost food (relative to the much-lower caloric food availability in a subsistence economy) More food generally, with much less physical exertion expended to obtain a moderate amount of food Higher consumption of vegetable oils and high sugar-containing foods Higher consumption of meat and dairy products Higher consumption of refined flours and products made of such, like white bread or white noodles More foods which are processed, cooked, and commercially provided (rather than seasonal, fresh foods prepared locally at the time of eating) Prolonged periods of little activity Greater use of alcohol and tobacco Longer lifespans Reduced exposure to infectious agents throughout life (this can result in a more idle and inexperienced immune system, as compared to an individual who experienced relatively frequent exposure to certain pathogens in their time of life) Increased cleanliness. The hygiene hypothesis postulates that children of affluent families are now exposed to fewer antigens than has been normal in the past, giving rise to increased prevalence of allergy and autoimmune diseases.
Diabetes mellitus
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by increase blood glucose level. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. It is caused by resistance to insulin or the lack of production of insulin. It is seen most commonly in adults. Type 1 diabetes or juvenile diabetes affects mostly children. This condition is due to little or lack of insulin production from the pancreas.