OCR A-Level Geography Geographical debates (03), June 2025: Question 7
12 marks · Hard difficulty · Extended Response
Examine how the eradication of disease can be affected by issues of either human rights or territorial integrity.
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Question text
7 Examine how the eradication of disease can be affected by issues of either human rights or
territorial integrity. [12]
Mark scheme
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Question Answer Mark Guidance
7 Examine how the eradication of disease is affected by issues 12 Indicative content
of EITHER human rights OR territorial integrity. AO1 x6 AO1 – 6 marks
AO2 x6 Knowledge and understanding of eradication of disease
Level 4 (10-12 marks) and issues of EITHER human rights OR territorial
Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge and understanding of integrity could potentially include:
eradication of disease and issues of EITHER human rights OR territorial • Eradication of disease
integrity (AO1). o Use of pharmaceutical companies using
scientific breakthroughs
Demonstrates comprehensive application of knowledge and o Strategies for disease eradication
understanding to provide clear, developed and convincing analysis that o Impact of grassroot strategies
is fully accurate of how eradication of disease could be affected by • Issues of human rights – access to basic rights
issues of EITHER human rights OR territorial integrity (AO2). and freedoms.
• Issues of territorial integrity – exclusive and
This will be shown by including well-developed ideas about the legitimate control over territory.
relationship between eradication of disease and issues of EITHER
human rights OR territorial integrity. AO2 – 6 marks
Application of knowledge and understanding to analyse
There are clear and explicit attempts to make appropriate synoptic links how the eradication of disease could be affected by
between content from different parts of the course of study. issues of EITHER human rights OR territorial integrity
could potentially include:
Level 3 (7-9 marks) • Issues of human rights
Demonstrates thorough knowledge and understanding of management o Inequalities in access to new technologies /
of disease and issues of EITHER human rights OR territorial integrity medicine / treatment as some people/groups
(AO1). excluded or find it a challenge to access.
o Some groups e.g. those in forced labour
Demonstrates thorough application of knowledge and understanding to stopped from accessing healthcare by
employers due to illegality of actions.
provide clear and developed analysis that shows accuracy of how
o Some groups due to lack of education less
eradication of disease could be affected by issues of EITHER human likely to trust new scientific approaches or
rights OR territorial integrity (AO2). technology.
This will be shown by including well-developed ideas about either • Issues of territorial integrity
eradication of disease or issues of EITHER human rights OR territorial o Inequalities in access to new technologies /
integrity and developed ideas for the other focus. medicine / treatment as borders hard to cross
as contested so some areas unable to
There are clear attempts to make synoptic links between the content access.
from different parts of the course of study but these are not always o Some people/groups stopped from
appropriate. accessing healthcare by those in power
o Areas of contested territory may be difficult to
Level 2 (4-6 marks) access for health workers as who is in
Mark Scheme charge, or systems may be difficult to followJune 2025
Demonstrates reasonable knowledge and understanding of eradication as sovereignty in isolated regions change or
of disease and issues of EITHER human rights OR territorial integrity are different
(AO1). o Differences across individual nations in
terms of access to healthcare and drugs. e.g.
Demonstrates reasonable application of knowledge and understanding contested regions – civil war
to provide sound analysis that shows some accuracy of how eradication
Positive points appropriate e.g. in a society where there
of disease could be affected by issues of EITHER human rights OR is equal access to healthcare across different groups.
territorial integrity (AO2). Some territories with strong integrity able to manage
disease eradication effectively e.g. Mauritius - Malaria
This will be shown by including developed ideas about either
eradication of disease or issues of EITHER human rights OR territorial
integrity and simple ideas for the other focus.
There are some attempts to make synoptic links between content from
different parts of the course of study but these are not always relevant.
Level 1 (1-3 marks)
Demonstrates basic knowledge and understanding of eradication of
disease and issues of EITHER human rights OR territorial integrity
(AO1).
Demonstrates basic application of knowledge and understanding to
provide simple analysis that shows limited accuracy of how eradication
of disease could be affected by issues of EITHER human rights OR
territorial integrity (AO2).
This will be shown by including simple ideas about eradication of
disease and issues of EITHER human rights OR territorial integrity.
There are limited attempts to make synoptic links between content from
different parts of the course of study.
0 marks
No response or no response worthy of credit.
How to answer it
Disease Eradication vs Human Rights or Territorial Integrity
Paper 2 / Paper 3: Synoptic Essay (12 Marks)
This 12-mark synoptic question tests your ability to link Disease Dilemmas (Topic 3.3) with either Human Rights (Topic 3.5) OR Power and Borders / Territorial Integrity (Topic 3.4). You are assessed equally on your geographical knowledge ( AO1: 6 marks ) and your evaluative analytical reasoning ( AO2: 6 marks ), demonstrating how geopolitical and socio-legal frameworks accelerate or obstruct public health campaigns.
Question Breakdown & Mark Scheme Structure
💡 Assessment Objectives
- AO1 (6 marks): Knowledge and understanding of disease eradication strategies (top-down scientific breakthroughs, pharmaceuticals, grassroots initiatives) and definitions of either Human Rights or Territorial Integrity.
- AO2 (6 marks): Application and analysis of how these issues positively facilitate or severely obstruct eradication programs across borders and populations.
🧠 Crucial Exam Rule: Choose ONE Path
The question says EITHER... OR. Do not write half an essay on human rights and half on territorial integrity.
- Choosing one route allows you to build the "well-developed, convincing analysis" required for Level 4 (10–12 marks).
- Always balance negative barriers with positive enablers (e.g., how high integrity or strong rights accelerate disease elimination).
Path A: Disease Eradication & Human Rights
💡 Core Knowledge (AO1)
- Eradication Strategies: Mass immunisation, patent protections (TRIPS), vector control, top-down WHO strategies vs. bottom-up community health work.
- Human Rights Issues: Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) Article 25 (Right to health), gender discrimination, modern slavery/forced labour, rights of indigenous/caste groups, right to primary education.
- Key Case Studies: Polio eradication in Nigeria/Pakistan/Afghanistan; HIV/AIDS management in Sub-Saharan Africa; Malaria control in India.
✅ Analytical Links (AO2)
- Gender Inequality (Barrier): In patriarchal societies (e.g., northern Nigeria or rural South Asia), women often lack the autonomy to seek vaccination for children without male consent, directly suppressing herd immunity.
- Deprivation of Education (Barrier): Lower female literacy correlates with vaccine hesitancy and reliance on misinformation, stalling eradication.
- Marginalisation & Illegality: Migrants in forced labour or undocumented statuses avoid state health clinics for fear of arrest, creating hidden disease reservoirs.
- Human Rights Upheld (Positive): States upholding equal constitutional rights to education and healthcare (e.g., Kerala, India) achieve rapid elimination of maternal/neonatal tetanus and high vaccine uptake.
📐 Synoptic Chain of Reasoning (Level 4 Blueprint)
UDHR Violation (Denial of female education) → Inability to comprehend health messaging → Low uptake of WHO vaccination campaigns → Sustained R₀ > 1 → Disease persistence & failure of global eradication targets.
Path B: Disease Eradication & Territorial Integrity
💡 Core Knowledge (AO1)
- Territorial Integrity: A sovereign state's exclusive, legitimate authority and control over its recognised borders and internal territory without external or rebel interference.
- Eradication Prerequisites: Cold-chain logistics, universal geographic surveillance, accessible transport corridors, safe transit for aid agencies (UNICEF, WHO, MSF).
- Key Case Studies: Polio in FATA (Pakistan/Afghanistan border); Ebola in North Kivu (DR Congo); Malaria elimination in Mauritius.
✅ Analytical Links (AO2)
- Contested Sovereignty (Barrier): Civil wars and insurgencies (e.g., DRC, Yemen) create ungoverned spaces where health infrastructure is destroyed and vaccine supply chains collapse.
- Targeting of Health Personnel: Militant groups view external vaccinators as state spies or foreign agents (e.g., Taliban targeting polio workers in border areas), halting doorstep campaigns.
- Porous / Contested Borders: Unmonitored cross-border population flows reintroduce pathogens into eradicated areas (e.g., wild polio crossing the Durand Line between Pakistan and Afghanistan).
- High Territorial Control (Positive): Island nations or stable sovereign states (e.g., Mauritius eliminating malaria) use undisputed border checks, quarantine laws, and uniform national spraying programs.
📐 Synoptic Chain of Reasoning (Level 4 Blueprint)
Armed rebellion / Loss of state monopoly on force → Healthcare workers targeted & clinic infrastructure bombed → Cold chain broken & surveillance blind spots created → Pathogen thrives in borderlands & re-infects previously cleared zones.
Examiner Commentary: How to Secure Level 4
❌ Common Errors (Why Candidates Lose Marks)
- Attempting both topics: Trying to cover human rights and territorial integrity in 12 marks results in superficial Level 2 analysis.
- One-sided narrative: Only discussing how conflict or abuse prevents eradication, completely ignoring how stable integrity or human rights enforcement facilitates it.
- Vague disease knowledge: Saying just "diseases spread" without referencing specific eradication efforts, vectors, or initiatives (e.g., GPEI for polio, Roll Back Malaria).
- Treating "Territorial Integrity" as mere "Distance/Geography": It is a geopolitical term about sovereignty, border legitimacy, and governance—not just rugged terrain!
🧠 What Distinguishes Top-Level Responses
- Precise Terminology: Uses concepts like sovereignty, non-state armed groups, patent monopolies (TRIPS), structural violence, herd immunity, vertical vs horizontal strategies.
- Balanced Examination: Explores both sides of the command word "Examine"—shows situations where rights/integrity are barriers AND where they are positive levers of success.
- Explicit Synoptic Conclusion: Concludes on the relative weighting—e.g., whether scientific capacity (vaccine technology) can ever overcome deep geopolitical instability or human rights denial.
| Level | Marks | Required Standard for this Question |
|---|---|---|
| Level 4 | 10 – 12 | Comprehensive AO1 knowledge of disease eradication strategies and chosen concept; clear, balanced, convincing AO2 analysis linking cause and effect; precise case study integration. |
| Level 3 | 7 – 9 | Thorough knowledge of one side (e.g. disease) and developed knowledge of the other (rights/borders); sound analytical links but may lack balance or specific detail. |
| Level 2 | 4 – 6 | Reasonable descriptive knowledge; explains generic disease spread with limited analytical connection to human rights or sovereign border control. |
Topics
Topic 3.2 Disease Dilemmas · 2.2.3 Global Governance: Option C – Human Rights · 2.2.4 Global Governance: Option D – Power and Borders · 5.b. Top down and bottom up strategies that deal with disease risk and eradication. · 1.a. There is global variation in human rights norms. · 1.a. The world political map of sovereign nation-states is dynamic. · 2.a. A multitude of factors pose challenges to sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Question and mark scheme from the OCR A-Level Geography examination, Geographical debates (03), June 2025. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.