Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - JHS 3
HUMAN HEALTH
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HUMAN HEALTH
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Science
Class: JHS 3
Term: 3rd Term
Week: 7
Grade code: B9.5.2.1.1
Strand code: 5
Sub-strand code: 2
Content standard code: B9.5.2.1
Indicator code: B9.5.2.1.1
Theme: HUMANS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Subtheme: HUMAN HEALTH
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Human health is strongly influenced by our lifestyle, diet, environment, and choices about drugs and substances. In Ghana, many people suffer from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma, stroke, and some cancers. These diseases do not usually spread from person to person, but they can seriously affect families through medical costs, loss of productivity, disability, and early death. Understanding symptoms, effects, and prevention helps learners make informed decisions and support healthy communities.
A. Meaning of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Non-communicable diseases are diseases that: are not infectious (do not spread through air, water, touch, or body fluids like malaria, TB, cholera), usually develop slowly and last a long time (chronic), are often linked to lifestyle, diet, environment, and genetics.
Examples of NCDs (common in Ghana): Hypertension (high blood pressure) Diabetes mellitus Asthma Stroke (often a complication of hypertension) Heart disease Some cancers (breast, cervical, prostate, liver, etc.) Chronic kidney disease
B. Common Causes/Risk Factors of NCDs (Grouped for easy learning) 1) Lifestyle-related causes Eating too much salt, sugar, and fatty foods Low intake of fruits and vegetables Physical inactivity (sedentary lifestyle) Excess alcohol intake Smoking (tobacco) and shisha Poor sleep and chronic stress 2) Malnutrition-related causes (both undernutrition and overnutrition) Malnutrition means an imbalance in nutrients—too little or too much. Overnutrition: overeating energy-dense foods (fried foods, sugary drinks) → obesity → diabetes, hypertension. Undernutrition: lack of essential nutrients (iron, protein, vitamins) → weak immunity, poor growth, anaemia; can worsen chronic illness and recovery.
Ghanaian example: A learner who often skips breakfast and eats only “gari and sugar” or instant noodles may lack proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Over time, this can cause weakness and poor concentration, and may contribute to long-term health problems. 3) Poor working environment and exposure Some workplaces expose people to: Dust (quarries, carpentry shops, cement work) → breathing problems, asthma-like symptoms Smoke/fumes (welding, burning refuse, vehicle exhaust) → lung irritation, cancer risk Chemicals (pesticides in farming, solvents in garages) → organ damage, cancer risk Noise and stress (long hours, poor rest) → hypertension risk