Understanding disability – module 4
Disentangling disability and chronic disease
How is chronic disease defined?
- Non-communicable illnesses that are prolonged in duration, do not resolve
spontaneously, and are rarely cured completely.
o Heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, arthritis
- What is chronic condition?
o Can be communicable, non-communicable, certain mental disorders, and
ongoing structural impairments
o Umbrella term
- What are the differences between chronic condition, a secondary condition and co-
morbid condition?
o Secondary condition = health conditions that are generally preventable and are
casually linked to disabling condition
E.g. paralysis -> pressure ulcers, pain, depression
Some secondary conditions are chronic conditions (pain, stability
o Vs. co-morbid condition = additional condition co-occurring/co-existing with
primary condition (distinct additional clinical entity)
E.g. person with diabetes who also has depression
Also referred to as multiple chronic conditions or morbidity
Disability = something like visual impairment or mobility impairment
(something that something else causes). Chronic disease = something like
diabetes
- Disability could lead to chronic disease
o E.g. visual and mobility impairment could lead to diabetes – may not be able to
move or see well enough to exercise leading to diabetes. This is an example of
co-morbid condition
- *onset of chronic disease not always linked to underlying structural/functional
impairment but to social/enviro influence on health behaviours and health
Disability + chronic disease can happen in one of two routes:
- the X’s promote where we can promote health opportunities
Disentangling disability and chronic disease
How is chronic disease defined?
- Non-communicable illnesses that are prolonged in duration, do not resolve
spontaneously, and are rarely cured completely.
o Heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, arthritis
- What is chronic condition?
o Can be communicable, non-communicable, certain mental disorders, and
ongoing structural impairments
o Umbrella term
- What are the differences between chronic condition, a secondary condition and co-
morbid condition?
o Secondary condition = health conditions that are generally preventable and are
casually linked to disabling condition
E.g. paralysis -> pressure ulcers, pain, depression
Some secondary conditions are chronic conditions (pain, stability
o Vs. co-morbid condition = additional condition co-occurring/co-existing with
primary condition (distinct additional clinical entity)
E.g. person with diabetes who also has depression
Also referred to as multiple chronic conditions or morbidity
Disability = something like visual impairment or mobility impairment
(something that something else causes). Chronic disease = something like
diabetes
- Disability could lead to chronic disease
o E.g. visual and mobility impairment could lead to diabetes – may not be able to
move or see well enough to exercise leading to diabetes. This is an example of
co-morbid condition
- *onset of chronic disease not always linked to underlying structural/functional
impairment but to social/enviro influence on health behaviours and health
Disability + chronic disease can happen in one of two routes:
- the X’s promote where we can promote health opportunities
