CALA Component C

Combined science
Health and diseases
Background

There is a statistically significant relationship between health and academic achievement.

Research evidence shows that children who are healthy are at a low risk for school problems
than students who are unhealthy. Students with good health tend to perform better in school
than those with poor health. Problems that emanate from poor health include a higher
probability of school failure, poor levels of concentration, grade retention and dropout.
However, health is a complex and elusive concept and its definition is often shrouded by
assumptions and limitations. Therefore, the relationship between health and student
achievement is often complex. The concept of health has been evolving over time, cutting
across multiple disciplines. Of late, there has been a focus on achieving not only health but total
well-being. Schools have been challenged to promote student health by providing favourable
environments, policies, support services and information-based interventions. Schools should
develop integrated health interventions because of their proven effectiveness in promoting
healthy lifestyles among students.
The activity is aimed at fostering health awareness among learners and how to maintain good
hygiene at school, home and community levels for healthy living and productivity in society.
The activity is in three parts: A, B and C
CALA COMPONENT C: HEALTH AND DISEASES

PART A

1. Define:
a. Health
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b. Disease
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2. List aspects of health ( write as many as you can find)
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3. List categories of diseases and give at least one example of a disease which fall under each
category.

Category Examples

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CALA COMPONENT C: HEALTH AND DISEASES

PART B
1. List diseases which commonly affect learners at school
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2. List diseases which commonly affect people in the community you live
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3. For each disease you listed in 1 and 2 above, state the cause and methods by which it can be
transmitted.

Disease Cause Method of transmission

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CALA COMPONENT C: HEALTH AND DISEASES

4. Identify a particular diseases and record the number of learners who are diagnosed with the
disease over a period of 5 days.
a. Name of disease
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b. Record your data in the table below

Day Number of learners

1
2
3
4
5

c. Use the data in your table to draw either a bar graph or a pie chart to show the
frequency of occurrence of the disease. Us e the space below.

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CALA COMPONENT C: HEALTH AND DISEASES

5. Identify and list down possible drivers to the transmission of the disease.
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PART C

1. Look around the school area and identify any situations or conditions which could affect the
health of learners.
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2. Suggest possible solutions to the situations or conditions you stated in 1.
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CALA COMPONENT C: HEALTH AND DISEASES

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3. Use your creativity to design a poster that would remind learners of the need to maintain good
health. Use the space below.