Communicable and Non-Communicable Disease Burden among Students: Current State, Worthy Knowledge and Implications of Health Literacy
Abstract
Abstract This work examined “Communicable and Non-Communicable Disease Burden among Students: Current state, Worthy Knowledge and Implications of Health Literacy”. The double burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) posed a significant challenge to public health in Nigeria and globally. This paper evaluated the health risks students face, emphasizing the importance of health literacy in disease prevention. The study noted communicable diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS remained prevalent along with re-emerging diseases, particularly among vulnerable populations worldwide worsening mortality rates and poverty status. The NCDs including hypertension, diabetes, cancers, and cardiovascular disorders were found to be rising due to urbanization, unhealthy lifestyles, and sedentary behaviours accounting for 74% of annual deaths globally. Health-literate students appeared better equipped to adopt preventive behaviours, seek timely healthcare, and influence peers and communities positively. The study underlined the need for comprehensive health education, functional school health units, and digital health literacy programmes to reduce disease burden among students. Strengthening student knowledge on both communicable and non-communicable diseases clearly aligned with ‘Sustainable Development Goal 3’, ultimately supporting healthier educational environments, improved academic outcomes, and long-term societal development. The dare need for provision of accessible health services, including routine screenings, mental health counselling, and early disease detection programmes as well as integrating comprehensive health education into secondary and tertiary educational curricula to teach students early on lifestyle risk factors, and preventive behaviours about these diseases were advocated.