Factors that have influenced medicine in the 20th century and beyond
The 20th century saw further progress in the understanding of the causes of geneticTo do with inheritance because of genes. disease, a greater focus on the prevention of illness in the first place, and the development of treatments.
Lifestyle factors
Understanding that our lifestyle has an impact on our health is not new. Doctors in medieval England advised rest, exercise and a good diet to remain healthy. However, since c.1900 there has been a greater understanding of how our lifestyle choices affect our health. Research has shown how specific aspects of our lifestyle cause health problems and illnesses.
The following aspects of our lifestyle can lead to some forms of cancer, heart disease and mental health problems:
- poor diet
- lack of exercise
- smoking
- drinking alcohol
- stress
Government
Throughout the 20th century, the role of the government in medicine changed. By c.1900, the British government no longer had a laissez-faireTranslated as 鈥榣eave well alone鈥 or 鈥榣et the people choose鈥. A government policy of interfering as little as possible in social and economic policy. approach to health. Throughout the 20th century, the government increased its involvement.
It is now widely accepted that the government鈥檚 role is to fund medical research and treatment, pass legislationThe passing of laws. to help prevent disease and illness, and educate people about dangers to their health. This can be seen in the government鈥檚 response to the increase in deaths from lung cancer over the past 50 years. Scotland was the first of the four UK nations to ban smoking in public places, through legislation passed in 2006. England, Northern Ireland and Wales followed in 2007. Across the UK, the administrations have supported advertising campaigns to educate the British people about the dangers of smoking.
Advances in science
Advances in science, such as the discovery of DNADeoxyribonucleic acid; the chemical that carries the genetic code of an organism and determines all the organisms characteristics. have led to a greater understanding of the causes of disease. It is now accepted that germs can cause disease and illness.
By the end of the 20th century, it was also understood that some diseases, conditions or disorders are hereditary - which means they are passed from parents to children in genes. This has been proven for:
- Down鈥檚 syndrome - the extra chromosome that causes this condition was discovered in 1958
- cystic fibrosis - the gene that causes this condition was discovered in 1989
- sickle cell anaemia - the genetic understanding of this disorder developed from the 1940s onwards
Developments in technology
Rapid developments in technology led to huge advances in the diagnosisThe identification of a disease, illness or condition which is present in a patient. A diagnosis is made after looking for signs and symptoms in a patient. and treatment of disease and illness after c.Circa (Latin for 鈥榓bout鈥 or 鈥榓pproximately鈥).1900. Medicines such as magic bulletA chemical treatment that kills specific bacteria inside the body without harming the body. and antibioticSubstance that controls the spread of bacteria in the body by killing them or stopping them reproducing. can now be mass produced to destroy disease and infection inside the human body.
Machines became more commonly used in hospitals. For example, X-raysHigh frequency electromagnetic radiation, used for medical imaging. machines, CT scanA computerised tomography scan. This uses X-rays and a computer to create detailed images of the inside of the body. and heart rate monitors enable quick and accurate diagnosis and monitoring of illness.