Glossary

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S

selective toxicity

The targeting of drugs to affect only the disease-causing, pathogenic organism and minimise damage to the host cells and commensal mico-organisms.

sex

The biological or chromosomal attributes that separate males, females and intersex people. Sex is assigned at birth and may differ from a person’s gender identity.

social determinants of health

The conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age, including their positions in hierarchies of power and the money and resources available to them.

social factors

Economic, commercial and environmental factors that influence people’s behaviours, attitudes and lifestyle.

structural analogue

A compound having a structure similar to that of another compound but a different function.

susceptibility

The likelihood that an individual will contract an infectious disease when exposed to a particular pathogen.