1. to be prone to obesity
Meaning: to be likely to become fat [in an unhealthy way]
Example: Children who are addicted to watching television, instead of playing outdoor games, are more prone to obesity.
2. eating disorders
Meaning: problems which occur when people are unhappy with their bodies, and therefore eat far too much or far too little.
Example: Advertising tells women that they should have bodies like supermodel celebrities, and this sometimes leads to eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia.
3. safe hygiene standards
Meaning: a safe level of keeping yourself, living areas or working areas clean in order to prevent illness and disease
Example: Maintaining safe hygiene standards in hospitals, homes and workplaces is a simple and inexpensive way to combat the spread of diseases. Dịch đại ý
4. to keep their teeth healthy
Meaning: to take care of their teeth by cleaning them regularly
Example: Advertisements encourage youngsters to brush their teeth several times a day in order to keep their teeth healthy.
5. to launch a full-scale investigation into sth
Meaning: to start an investigation completely or using all available methods, equipment, money, etc.
Example: Scientists are about to launch a full-scale investigation into the cause of the outbreak of the disease.
6. the outbreak of an epidemic
Meaning: a large number of diseases occurring at the same time in a particular community
Example: A lack of government programs for vaccination and regular health care may lead to the outbreak of an epidemic, particularly in developing countries.
7. sedentary lifestyle
Meaning: involving little exercise or physical activity
Example: A sedentary lifestyle is a major factor in health problems such as obesity and heart disease.
8. healthy eating habits
Meaning: eating healthy food at regular times of the day
Example: Health education involves teaching people about healthy eating habits, such as regular mealtimes and eating fruit and vegetables every day.
9. to take regular exercise
Meaning: to do some physical activity on a regular basis
Example: Authorities should encourage people of all ages to take regular exercise by providing facilities in each community.
10. a fitness regime
Meaning: a method or routine of taking regular exercise
Example: Even elderly people can adopt a fitness regime by taking light exercise such as walking or jogging.
11. health awareness campaigns
Meaning: publicity to encourage people to be concerned about looking after their health.
Example: Public health awareness campaigns are essential if people are to accept that they have a personal responsibility to look after their own health. Dịch đại ý
12. preventive medicine
Meaning: practices of healthcare intended to try to stop illnesses
Example: An emphasis on preventive medicine will result in a healthier population and reduced costs for medical treatment.
13. alternative healthcare
Meaning: this is a term used by many western countries to describe more traditional types of healthcare that do not involve operations and pharmaceutical drugs.
Example: Naturopathy is a form of alternative healthcare which treats illness and diseases using natural foods, herbs and other techniques.
14. public health services
Meaning: the agencies funded by the government to protect and promote the health of the population
Example: I would argue that funding for public health services should be the main priority of all governments.
15. to take out private health insurance
Meaning: to make regular payments to an insurance company, who will pay for medical or hospital treatment when you need it
Example: In countries with poor public health services, many people have to take out private health insurance in order to receive adequate medical treatment.
16. primary health care
Meaning: the medical treatment that you receive first when you are sick or ill, for example from your doctor or local clinic.
Example: Developing countries must allocate resources to establish primary health care clinics in rural areas and overcrowded city districts.
17. medical practitioner
Meaning: a person who works as a doctor or surgeon
Example: It is essential to train more medical practitioners if public health is to be improved.
18. to build up one’s immune system/ immunity
Meaning: to increase the ability of your body to fight diseases
Example: A healthy lifestyle and a diet rich in vitamins is a sure way to build up one’s immune system.
19. mental health problems
Meaning: related to illnesses of one’s mind
Example: Overwork may sometimes result in mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression.
20. to offer emotional support
Meaning: to give counselling to a person who is suffering from a mental health problem
Example: Some schools in Europe now offer emotional support to pupils who are the victims of bullying.
21. to be addicted to sth
Meaning: to be unable to stop taking harmful drugs, tobacco or alcohol.
Example: More specialist clinics, offering treatment and advice, are required to help people who are addicted to drugs.
22. to search for a cure
Meaning: the process of looking for a way to make a sick person healthy again
Example: It is the responsibility of governments to enable doctors to search for a cure for diseases by providing adequate funding.
23. life-threatening conditions
Meaning: illnesses which are likely to kill somebody
Example: Great advances have been made in the treatment of life- threatening conditions such as cancer and heart disease.
24. to carry health risks
Meaning: to have effects which could be bad for one’s health
Example: Smoking and drinking alchohol are potentially dangerous habits, because they carry serious health risks.
25. prescription charges
Meaning: the money paid by a patient to receive medicines authorised by a doctor.
Example: In Britain, the government has abolished prescription charges for elderly people, so that they no longer pay for the medicines they need.
26. operating theatre
Meaning: a room in a hospital where doctors carry out surgery on patients
Example: Safe hygiene standards are important throughout any hospital, but particularly in an operating theatre.
27. the pharmaceutical industry
Meaning: an industry which makes drugs and medicines
Example: I believe that the pharmaceutical industry must be strictly regulated by governments, especially in the testing of new drugs.
28. a degenerative illness
Meaning: an illness that becomes worse as time passes
Example: Breakthroughs in medical science are providing more effective treatment for degenerative illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease.
29. to be detrimental to health
Meaning: to be harmful to health
Example: Lying in the sun for too long can be detrimental to health and result in skin cancers.
30. to have a regular check-up
Meaning: to have a regular examination carried out by a doctor or dentist
Example: In order to identify health problems at an early stage, people should have a regular check-up so that preventive measures can be taken if necessary.