Analysis of HIV/AIDS and Breast Cancer in UK Public Health Programs

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of public health in the United Kingdom, focusing on two prevalent diseases: HIV/AIDS (an infectious disease) and breast cancer (a non-infectious disease). It begins with an introduction to public health programs and their importance in reducing disease risks. The report then examines the roles of international agencies like WHO, UNICEF, and UNDP; national agencies such as the Department of Health, Public Health England, and the NHS; and local organizations like Oxfam. The core of the report analyzes the epidemiology of both diseases, presenting statistical data on HIV/AIDS prevalence, new diagnoses, and mortality rates, as well as breast cancer incidence, mortality, and survival rates in the UK. Finally, the report discusses various strategies and approaches used by the government to control these diseases, including public awareness campaigns, screening programs, and the implementation of relevant legislations and policies. The report concludes by emphasizing the vital roles of all levels of agencies in monitoring, improving, and addressing public health challenges within the UK.

RESEARCH
ANALYSIS/REPORT
WRITING

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
AC1.1...........................................................................................................................................3
AC1.2...........................................................................................................................................4
AC1.3...........................................................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Public health programs form an important aspect for reducing the risk of diseases and
their effects on physical as well as mental health conditions (Frieden, 2010). The report herewith
aims at carrying out a research analysis on one infectious and one-non-infectious disease that is
prevailing in UK. The diseases selected herewith are HIV- AIDS (infectious disease) and Breast
Cancer (non-infectious disease). This report also discusses about the role of international,
national and local agencies. Including this, different approaches and strategies are explained to
evaluate the effectiveness in order to control the risk of diseases.
AC1.1
Public health is denoted as an art and science of preventing disease, prolonging life as
well as promoting the health of individuals in society. This area is concerned with threats to
health which might be based on analysis of population (Imperato and Fee, 2015). There are
several agencies that are responsible for exploring disease and people's wellbeing within
community. However, these agencies are presented at local, national and international levels.
Here is the description of various agencies along with their roles in identifying the level of
wellbeing of people in communities:
Agencies working at International level
Various agencies working at international level include WHO (World Health
Organisation), UNICEF (United Nation Children Fund) and UNDP (United Nation Development
Program). These agencies have a motive to assess the existing level of public health and
recording diseases that are being faced by the people along with their impacts. WTO is
accountable for providing leadership on the matters of health and monitoring the situation as well
as trends (About WHO, 2016). The responsibility of setting norms and standards is up to this
agency. It works together with policy-makers and global health partners along with civil society
and private H&C authorities in countries. It facilitates the assessment of affordable, safe and
effective care services. UNDP is a programme designed at international level to promote the
wellbeing of individuals. For example: HIV/AIDS has become a big issue for the UK as well as
in other countries. Therefore, UNDP is working in the area of spreading knowledge about
diseases and reducing their impact.
Agencies working at National level

At the national level, there are certain agencies which are working to promote public
health and making promotions in this area. One of these agencies is Department of Health
(DOH) which is responsible to promote public health within UK. Along with this, Public Health
England is an executive agency of DOH which aims at motivating and improving the wellbeing
of nation. Therefore, it becomes essential to promote education within society to reduce health
inequalities. NHS, which is the UK’s leading health and social care organization works in
collaboration with Public Health England to improve the fitness of society. In addition to this,
local government and care organisations are working in the national region to improve
individual’s well-being.
Local level
The agencies that work at the local level play a vital role in promoting the health of
individuals within UK. Among several agencies, Oxfam is a local one that works for the welfare
of people and acts to improve the health of individuals. It is a non-profitable organization which
mainly aims to cut down the risk factors of several diseases (Healy, 2011). It also works for
increasing the capability and capacity of local communities to prevent health issues and work for
the interest of people. Authorities that are working at local level need to ensure about the health
needs and requirements of people in society and have to plan accordingly.
AC1.2
The definition of epidemiology provided by World Trade organization represents it as a
study of health determinants to have control over various diseases held in the society. Study is
helpful in assessing various causes of diseases along with their impacts on public health
(Imperato and Fee, 2015). To identify the root causes of several diseases, it is required to carry
out epidemiology studies which are further helpful in preventing various diseases and their ill
impacts.
There are two types of diseases such as infectious and non-infectious. The infectious
diseases are one which are communicable and caused due to parasite, virus and bacteria. On the
flip side of a coin, non-infectious diseases are caused due to genetic reason and deficiency on
nutrition in human body (Sellers, 2013). Within UK, number of diseases including infectious and
non-infectious are there in the society. Non-infectious diseases include malignant, obesity, breast
cancer, cardiovascular, asthma and many more. On the other hand, infectious diseases involve

tuberculosis, influenza and HIV. Here, in the present section, two main diseases that are common
in UK are discussed among individuals along with some statistical information.
Statistics of HIV/AIDS in the UK
Figure 1 Statistics of HIV in UK
(Source: HIV and AIDS in the United Kingdom (UK), 2016)
United Kingdom (UK) is evident with relative small HIV epidemic. As per the statistics,
there are approximately 103,700 people who are living with HIV as per the figures in 2014 (HIV
and AIDS in the United Kingdom (UK), 2016). The prevalence rate of HIV is 1.9 per 1,000
people who are aged 15 years and above. Further, in the similar period of time, there were 6,151
people who have newly diagnosed with HIV. On the other hand, there are around 613 people
who have died because of AIDS-related illnesses. The statistics represent that health issues of
HIV and this inflectional disease are growing at a fast rate among UK people (HIV and AIDS in
the United Kingdom (UK). 2016).
Table 1: HIV infected individuals in UK
Number of people living with
HIV in the UK
Estimated 103,700 people live with HIV
Undiagnosed HIV There are approximately 18,100 (17%) people who are
suffering with HIV and are unaware of their HIV infection.

Number of HIV tests
performed
There are 980,000 individuals whose HIV tests are being
performed in clinics.
New HIV diagnoses 6,151 people have been newly diagnosed with HIV.
Late HIV diagnosis 40% of adults are diagnosed with HIV and have started
taking treatment (Latest UK HIV Statistics, 2016)
The major cause of such infectious disease is AIDA virus that is caused in human body
due to sexual interaction of unprotected intercourse. Including this, HIV is transferred among
individuals due to tissue transplantation, exchange of semen or blood, etc.
Statistics of Breast cancer in the UK
Breast cancer is the most common disease among UK people. As per the investigation
carried out in study, it represents that more than 50,000 women in the United Kingdom are
diagnosed with breast cancer every year (Breast cancer statistics, 2016). However, this is the
most commonly diagnosed cancer among females in the UK. The statistics show that almost half
(46%) of the cases of breast cancer are evident in this nation among women aged to be 65 years
and above (Cancer Research UK, 2016). Furthermore, there are around 1 women among 8 in the
UK are found with breast cancer in their lifetime and every year nearly 12,000 individuals die
from breast cancer (Facts and Statistics 2016, 2016).
Table 1: Statistics of Breast cancer
Cases
Approximately 53696 new cases of invasive breast cancer in the year
2013 were found in the UK.
Deaths 11433 people have been died from breast cancer in 2014.
Survival
78% people survive with breast cancer for 10 or more years (females
only) during 2011 in England and Wales.
Prevention 27% people have preventable cases of breast cancer, UK (Breast
cancer statistics, 2016)

AC1.3
Main aim of government is to have control over the risks of disease. Therefore, various
strategies and approaches are required to be implemented by the government. These strategies
include immunization, surveillance, environmental control, legislations, public awareness, etc.
Two most common diseases are HIV and Breast Cancer in the United Kingdom. However, to
control HIV, main strategies which can be used by the Government of UK is public awareness
(Sellers, 2013). The infectious disease can be controlled by creating public awareness about the
issue and ways to prevent it. On the contrary, screening strategy is an approach used for
eliminating and minimizing the impact of diseases like Breast cancer as it deals with clinical
interventions. For controlling diseases and promoting public health, legislations and policies are
to be designed by the government (World Health Organization, 2010). For example:
Comprehensive Aids Resource Emergency Act (CARE Act) is implemented for reducing these
impacts.
CONCLUSION
The report represented different agencies that work at international, national and local
level to promote and improve public health. These are WHO (World Health Organisation),
UNICEF (United Nation Children Fund), UNDP (United Nation Development Program), Oxfam,
Department of Health (DOH) and Public Health England. It concluded that all these agencies
play a vital role in monitoring the situation and improving public health. Along with that, it was
found that Breast cancer and HIV AIDS are two most common diseases among the UK people
for which strict actions has to be taken by government so as to cure the same.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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Imperato, P. J. and Fee, E., 2015. A history of public health. JHU Press.
Sellers, T., 2013. Epidemiology for public health practice. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
World Health Organization, 2010. Antiretroviral therapy for HIV infection in adults and
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