Final answer:
Some processes that favor disease emergence include promoting genetic diversity in pathogens, influence of environmental changes on disease spread, enabling pathogens to develop antibiotic resistance, and weakening of host immune responses.
Step-by-step explanation:
Disease emergence can be favored by several processes:
- They promote genetic diversity in pathogens: Pathogenic bacteria can introduce disease-causing genes in non-pathogenic bacteria, leading to the emergence of new diseases.
- Environmental changes influence the spread of diseases: Factors such as temperature and moisture can create optimal conditions for disease transmission.
- They enable pathogens to develop antibiotic resistance: Bacteria can acquire antibiotic resistance through mutation and natural selection, leading to the emergence of drug-resistant strains.
- Host immune responses become less effective: Preexisting conditions and environmental factors can compromise the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections.