Lesson 1 — Heart Disease & Stroke
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the #1 cause of death in the United States. Atherosclerosis — the buildup of plaque in artery walls — is the underlying cause of most heart attacks and strokes.
Heart AttackCoronary artery blocked; heart muscle dies without oxygen; symptoms: chest pain, arm pain, shortness of breath
StrokeBrain artery blocked or burst; brain cells die; FAST: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911
Risk FactorsHypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, smoking, physical inactivity, family history
PreventionExercise, healthy diet, no smoking, managing blood pressure and cholesterol
Quick Check: What does FAST stand for, and when do you use it?
Lesson 2 — Cancer
Cancer is the uncontrolled division of abnormal cells. The over 100 types of cancer vary widely in cause, treatment, and prognosis. It's the second leading cause of death in the U.S.
Cancer Prevention
Up to 42% of cancers are preventable. Don't smoke, limit alcohol, maintain healthy weight, use sunscreen, get vaccinated (HPV, Hep B), eat vegetables/fiber, and get regular cancer screenings.
Up to 42% of cancers are preventable. Don't smoke, limit alcohol, maintain healthy weight, use sunscreen, get vaccinated (HPV, Hep B), eat vegetables/fiber, and get regular cancer screenings.
- Carcinogens (tobacco, UV radiation, some chemicals) trigger DNA mutations
- Early detection dramatically improves survival rates
- Treatments: surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, targeted therapy
- Benign tumors are non-cancerous; malignant tumors can invade other tissues
Quick Check: What is the difference between a benign and malignant tumor?
Lesson 3 — Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease where the body cannot properly regulate blood sugar (glucose). It affects 37 million Americans and is a growing epidemic linked to obesity and inactivity.
Type 1Autoimmune — immune system destroys insulin-producing beta cells; requires insulin injections; not preventable
Type 2Cells become resistant to insulin; often linked to obesity/inactivity; largely preventable and reversible
PrediabetesBlood sugar higher than normal but below diabetic threshold; wake-up call to change lifestyle
ComplicationsBlindness, kidney failure, nerve damage, cardiovascular disease if unmanaged
Quick Check: What is the key difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes?
Lesson 4 — Disabilities & Chronic Conditions
A disability is any physical, mental, or developmental condition that limits one or more major life activities. Disabilities can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired, visible or invisible.
- People-first language: "person with a disability" — not "disabled person" or "wheelchair-bound"
- ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) protects equal access in schools, jobs, and public spaces
- Assistive technology (wheelchairs, hearing aids, screen readers) increases independence
- Chronic conditions (asthma, epilepsy, arthritis) are managed, not cured
- Supporting peers with disabilities means including, not pitying
Quick Check: What is people-first language, and why does it matter?
Chapter Vocabulary
Noncommunicable diseaseA disease that cannot be passed from person to person; caused by lifestyle, genetics, or environment.
AtherosclerosisThe buildup of fatty plaques inside artery walls, narrowing blood flow and increasing heart attack risk.
HypertensionPersistently high blood pressure; a major risk factor for heart attack and stroke.
CancerA disease of uncontrolled cell division that can invade and spread to other parts of the body.
MalignantDescribes a tumor that is cancerous and has the potential to invade other tissues.
MetastasisThe spread of cancer cells from the original tumor to other parts of the body.
DiabetesA chronic disease in which the body cannot properly regulate blood sugar levels.
InsulinThe hormone that allows cells to absorb glucose from the bloodstream for energy.
DisabilityA physical, mental, or developmental condition that limits one or more major life activities.
ADAAmericans with Disabilities Act — federal law protecting equal access and rights for people with disabilities.
