Health vocabulary for IELTS
Lifestyle, healthcare systems, diet and wellbeing. 20 words with definitions and example sentences, useful for Writing Task 2 and Speaking Part 3.
- sedentary adjective
- involving a lot of sitting and little exercise
- A sedentary lifestyle is linked to heart disease.
- preventive adjective
- intended to stop illness before it starts
- Preventive care reduces the long-term burden on hospitals.
- obesity noun
- the condition of being very overweight
- Childhood obesity has tripled in some countries.
- life expectancy noun
- the average number of years a person is expected to live
- Life expectancy has risen thanks to better sanitation.
- balanced diet noun
- a diet with the right amounts of different foods
- A balanced diet should include plenty of vegetables.
- mental health noun
- a person's psychological and emotional wellbeing
- Workplaces are taking mental health more seriously.
- chronic adjective
- lasting for a long time or recurring
- Chronic illnesses such as diabetes require ongoing treatment.
- epidemic noun
- a widespread outbreak of disease in a region
- The region is facing an epidemic of type 2 diabetes.
- vaccination noun
- treatment that gives immunity to a disease
- Vaccination programmes have eradicated smallpox.
- healthcare system noun
- the organisation of medical services in a country
- An ageing population puts pressure on the healthcare system.
- wellbeing noun
- the state of being comfortable, healthy and happy
- Green spaces improve residents' wellbeing.
- junk food noun
- food high in fat, sugar or salt and low in nutrients
- Advertising junk food to children should be restricted.
- burnout noun
- exhaustion caused by long-term stress
- Long working hours often lead to burnout.
- access to healthcare noun
- the ability to obtain medical services
- Access to healthcare remains unequal in rural areas.
- sugar tax noun
- a tax on drinks with added sugar
- The sugar tax prompted manufacturers to change recipes.
- hygiene noun
- practices that keep people and places clean
- Good hygiene prevents the spread of infection.
- ailment noun
- a minor illness
- Pharmacists can treat many common ailments.
- physical activity noun
- movement of the body that uses energy
- Adults need 150 minutes of physical activity a week.
- detrimental adjective
- causing harm
- Lack of sleep is detrimental to concentration.
- outpatient noun
- a patient treated without staying overnight
- Most minor surgery is now done on an outpatient basis.