Explain why communicable diseases spread more rapidly in areas where people live in overcrowded conditions.

Eduqas GCSE Biology — 3.2 Communicable disease · Explain · 4 marks · View as Markdown

Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).

Model answer (4 marks)

Communicable diseases are caused by pathogens that can be passed from one person to another.

In overcrowded areas people are in closer and more frequent contact with each other.

This close contact makes transmission of pathogens easier, for example through droplets in the air, direct contact or contaminated surfaces.

Because more people are exposed, more become infected and the disease spreads through the population more quickly.

Examiner tips

  • Use the word "pathogens" and mention transmission routes (droplets, contact, surfaces).
  • Show the link between overcrowding, increased contact and faster spread.

Mark scheme (4 marks)

  1. Communicable diseases are caused by pathogens / microorganisms that can be passed from one person to another
  2. In overcrowded conditions people are in closer/more frequent contact with each other
  3. This makes transmission of pathogens easier, e.g. via droplets in the air / direct contact / contaminated surfaces
  4. More people are exposed to the pathogen so more people become infected / the disease spreads through the population more quickly

Key terms in this question

communicable disease

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