Glencoe Health © 2007

Chapter 24: Communicable Diseases

Chapter 24 Parent Letter and Activities

Dear Parent or Guardian,

The present focus of your teen’s health studies is communicable diseases, which are a leading cause of death in the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are over
62 million cases of the common cold annually in the United States. About 84 percent of these
cases affect children under age 17, resulting in 22 million school-loss days. Other, more serious,
communicable diseases, such as hepatitis, various strains of influenza, tuberculosis, and AIDS,
remain a pressing concern for the health community. In class, we will identify the types of
pathogens that cause disease. In addition, your teen will learn strategies to help reduce the
risk of contracting disease.

The following topics will be discussed in this chapter:

  • What Are Communicable Diseases?
  • Preventing Communicable Diseases.
  • Common Communicable Diseases.

Your participation in your teen’s health education is important. To support our classroom work, please complete at least one of the following activities with your teen. Discuss with your teen the difference between a virus and bacteria. Ask your son or daughter to explain why viruses are especially difficult for the body to combat. Inspect your home with your teen. Check the bathroom(s) for the presence of soap and towels to encourage hand washing. Discuss ways to prevent food-borne illnesses in the kitchen. Discuss ways to diminish the chances of contracting diseases. Explore with your teen recent scientific breakthroughs in disease prevention and cures. Learn more about the diseases for which cures are currently being researched.

Please plan other activities you think will help your son or daughter develop an awareness of communicable diseases. Thank you for supporting our classroom work. Feel free to contact me if you wish to discuss your teen’s health education.

Sincerely,

Health Teacher

Glencoe Online Learning CenterHealth HomeProduct InfoSite MapContact Us

The McGraw-Hill CompaniesGlencoe