UNIT 2

Health & medicine

C Another aspect of healthcare we need to consider is getting
the right balance between prevention (stopping people
getting ill) and cure (making people better). Prevention
of disease, through health education (e.g. about diet or
exercise) or vaccination, can create a fitter and more
economically productive society. However, not all disease
can be prevented, and finding cures is usually considered
more urgent. We also need to ask ourselves which is more
important: quality of life, or prolonging life for as long as
possible, even if someone is seriously ill.
D Government involvement in healthcare doesn’t stop at
providing a public health system and health education.
They also make sure, for example, that manufacturers
put clear labelling on food packets, showing a list of
A Humans are living longer than ever before. A baby born
ingredients and nutritional information, and that school
today, for example, will probably have a longer life
meals are of a high quality. We might also expect them
expectancy than one born as recently as 1990. A key
to ensure individuals don’t spread diseases, such as by
reason for this is our increasing ability to control disease.
travelling by air when unwell. But there is disagreement
But as treatment becomes more and more sophisticated,
as to how much control the government should have over
and more therapies and drugs become available, a difficult
people’s lifestyle choices. People are often angry when
question must be asked: who will pay for it? In many
governments put taxes on unhealthy products or create
countries the question is even more urgent due to the
health and safety laws to stop us doing risky things, like
rising number of elderly people who often require regular
moving heavy objects at work. Too much intervention can
medical care and no longer earn money to meet the costs.
be very unpopular.
B There are two ways of paying for health care. One option
E Governments must also decide how much to
is a public health system, paid for using money from
regulate industry. They might ban advertising of certain
taxes. Alternatively, individuals (or their employers) can
products – Singapore banned tobacco ads in 1970, for
pay for private medical insurance from companies who
example – or set minimum prices for unhealthy goods. To
will then pay private hospitals to treat them if they get
ensure people’s safety, there is also very high regulation
sick. Insurance companies may charge people more or less
of the pharmaceutical industry. Finally, we must decide
depending on their age, where they live, their lifestyle, or
whether or not it is appropriate to store people’s health
the level of care they want. Many people argue that public
data, which is gathered every time we visit a doctor, or
healthcare is fairer, because everyone in society gets the
even a medical website. People are often uncomfortable
same treatment, regardless of wealth. However, others are
with the idea of very personal data being stored, especially
in favour of people paying in order to get the best care they
if it is being sold to private companies, but equally, this
can afford. Many countries use a combination of private
information is extremely helpful in developing better
and public healthcare. For example, a lot of French people
treatments and services.
have some private insurance, even though France has a
good public health system.

Foundation IELTS Masterclass: Unit 2 Worksheet Photocopiable  © Oxford University Press 1

Vocabulary IELTS training
1 Name ten things the government can do to 3 Choose words from the text to complete the
improve our health. Use words in bold from the sentences. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS.
text to help. 1 We now live longer because we are learning how to
1 start a campaign in schools .
2 offer against diseases like polio 2 Health services run by governments are paid for by
3 that produces unhealthy goods .
4 of junk food 3 The cost of insurance can be affected by factors
including age, location or desired .
5 pass new laws
4 Many believe government healthcare is a
6 improve of food packaging
option than private care.
7 introduce for some products
5 When people travel there is a risk they will
8 raise on unhealthy goods .
9 improve the quality of ingredients in 6 in the workplace can be dangerous.
10 spend money on finding a for serious 7 People tend to dislike excessive .
illnesses
8 People’s data is often used when .
2 Replace the words in italics with words in bold
from the text. Mini debates
How can we increase 1the length of our life? One way 4 Which idea in each pair do you support most
to take care of our health needs is to buy 2protection
against medical bills from private health companies.
strongly? Give reasons to support your view.
Private hospitals sometimes offer 3medicine that a 1 prevention of illness / cure of illness
4
government-funded hospital network can’t afford, especially 2 private insurance / public healthcare
if the 5drug companies are allowed to set high prices. 3 individual freedom / responsibility to others
However, this can be expensive, particularly if a history of 4 high life expectancy / good quality of life
illness is shown in your 6medical records. Another way of 5 light regulation of the pharmaceutical industry / heavy
7
extending your life-span may be to improve your 8eating regulation of the pharmaceutical industry
habits and increase the level of 9physical activity you do
– these are widely considered to be good methods of
10
stopping illness from happening. They will also give you a
better 11standard of living.

Foundation IELTS Masterclass: Unit 2 Worksheet Photocopiable  © Oxford University Press 2