Factors associated with the increase of these conditions and illnesses appear to be things that are a direct result of technological advances. They include: *Less strenuous physical exercise, often through increased use of motor vehicles *Irregular exercise as a result of office jobs involving no physical labor. *Easy accessibility in society to large amounts of low-cost food (relative to the much-lower caloric food availability in a subsistence economy) *More food generally, with much less physical exertion expended to obtain a moderate amount of food *Higher consumption of vegetable oils and high sugar-containing foods *Higher consumption of meat and dairy products *Higher consumption of refined flours and products made of such, like white bread or white noodles *More foods which are processed, cooked, and commercially provided (rather than seasonal, fresh foods prepared locally at the time of eating) *Prolonged periods of little activity *Greater use of alcohol and tobacco *Longer lifespans *Reduced exposure to infectious agents throughout life (this can result in a more idle and inexperienced immune system, as compared to an individual who experienced relatively frequent exposure to certain pathogens in their time of life) *Increased cleanliness. The hygiene hypothesis postulates that children of affluent families are now exposed to fewer antigens than has been normal in the past, giving rise to increased prevalence of allergy and autoimmune diseases.
Diseases of affluence
Sex differences in medicine
Diseases of poverty
Non-communicable disease
Drug therapy problems
Drug pollution
Neglected tropical diseases
Consequences of the Black Death