Healthy living

Abstract

Background: The nature of disease changes with the nature of societies. Modern chronic diseases that have superseded infections in the Anthropocene era, for example, have come largely from modern environments and lifestyles emanating from this. The concept of healthy living has subsequently changed accordingly.

Objective: The objective of this article is to examine the determinants of modern chronic disease and the changes that can be made at the individual level to reduce the impact of these.

Discussion: There is a hierarchy of determinants (sometimes incorrectly called 'causes') of the major modern chronic dieases. These are summarised under the acronym NASTIE MAL ODOURS and collectively under the term 'anthropogens', which are '… man-made environments and the lifestyles associated with these, many of which may lead to disease'. Attention to anthropogens in a systems fashion suggest guidelines for modern healthy living.