Explain why a person who frequently misuses alcohol may develop both a non-communicable disease and experience poor social well-being, and how these two effects together mean the person does not have good health according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).
Model answer (4 marks)
Alcohol misuse can lead to a non‑communicable disease such as cirrhosis of the liver, cardiovascular disease or cancer.
Cirrhosis is a disorder of the body that impairs liver function, causing pain, jaundice and reduced physical health.
Alcohol misuse also damages relationships, can lead to social isolation and reduces the ability to maintain social connections, thereby harming social well‑being.
The WHO defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well‑being. Because both physical health (via the disease) and social well‑being are compromised, the person does not have good health.
Cirrhosis is a disorder of the body that impairs liver function, causing pain, jaundice and reduced physical health.
Alcohol misuse also damages relationships, can lead to social isolation and reduces the ability to maintain social connections, thereby harming social well‑being.
The WHO defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well‑being. Because both physical health (via the disease) and social well‑being are compromised, the person does not have good health.
Examiner tips
- Use the exact terms: non‑communicable disease, cirrhosis, WHO definition of health
- Show the causal chain: misuse → disease & social harm → WHO definition
Common mistakes
- Confusing communicable disease with non‑communicable disease
- Omitting the WHO definition of health
Mark scheme (4 marks)
- Alcohol misuse can cause a non-communicable disease such as cirrhosis / cardiovascular disease / cancer
- Cirrhosis / the named non-communicable disease is a disorder of the body that negatively affects physical health
- Alcohol misuse can damage relationships / lead to social isolation / reduce ability to maintain social connections, negatively affecting social well-being
- WHO defines health as a state of complete physical, mental AND social well-being; because both physical and social well-being are affected, the person does not have good health
Key terms in this question
health · non-communicable disease · social well-being · World Health Organization (WHO)
Related
- All Edexcel GCSE Biology (1BI0) revision notes →
- How to answer a "Explain" question →
- Decode the mark scheme abbreviations →
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