Communicable and non-communicable diseases

Health, disease and the development of medicines · Health and disease · note 2 of 3

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Communicable and non-communicable diseasesSpec 5.2

In short

A communicable disease is caused by a pathogen and can be passed from one organism to another, such as cholera, tuberculosis and malaria. A non-communicable disease is not caused by a pathogen and cannot be passed from one person to another, such as cardiovascular disease, many cancers and diseases linked to nutrition.

A communicable disease can be passed from one organism to another. It is caused by a pathogen, so it is also called an infectious disease. Cholera, tuberculosis and malaria are communicable.

A non-communicable disease cannot be passed from one person to another. It is not caused by a pathogen. Cardiovascular disease, many cancers and diseases linked to nutrition are non-communicable.

Communicable and non-communicable diseases compared
	Communicable	Non-communicable
Cause	A pathogen	Not a pathogen; often a mix of several factors
Passed on?	Yes, between people (or animals or plants)	No
Examples	Cholera, tuberculosis, malaria, HIV	Heart disease, lung cancer, liver disease

Common mistake:

Do not say that non-communicable diseases are 'not infectious' and leave it there. State that they are not passed on from person to person and are not caused by pathogens.

Written and checked against the Edexcel GCSE Combined Science (1SC0) specification · Updated October 2026

Frequently asked questions

What is the WHO definition of health?

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. In an exam, include all three words: physical, mental and social. This means a person with no disease may still not be fully healthy.

Is heart disease communicable?

No, heart disease is a non-communicable disease. It is not caused by a pathogen and cannot be passed from one person to another; instead it is linked to several interacting factors, such as diet and smoking. Communicable diseases, such as cholera, tuberculosis and malaria, are caused by pathogens and can be passed on.

How can one disease lead to another?

One disease can lead to another by making a person more susceptible. HIV destroys white blood cells, weakening the immune system, so infections such as tuberculosis are more likely. Diseases that damage the skin or the lining of the airways let other pathogens in, and long-term physical illness can lead to depression or anxiety.

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