This glossary can help you prepare for the IELTS writing tasks related to the Prevention vs cure in Health.
argue
verb
Exchange or express diverging or opposite views, typically in a heated or angry way.
Example: They would argue that most people do not listen to health campaigns.
emergency
noun
A serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situation requiring immediate action.
Example: They would say it is not possible to prevent many illnesses and diseases such as flu and many types of cancer, as well as accidents and emergencies.
flu
noun
Influenza.
Example: They would say it is not possible to prevent many illnesses and diseases such as flu and many types of cancer, as well as accidents and emergencies.
health budget
noun phrase
A personal health budget is an amount of money to support your health and wellbeing needs, which is planned and agreed between you (or someone who represents you), and your local NHS team.
Example: Governments will probably argue that it is necessary to spend a large proportion of health budgets on treating illness because the general population do not live healthy lifestyles and so become ill.
health campaign
noun phrase
A health campaign is a type of media campaign which attempts to promote public health by making new health interventions available.
Example: They would argue that most people do not listen to health campaigns.
health education
noun phrase
Education that promotes an understanding of how to maintain personal health.
Example: Governments around the world spend too much money on treating illnesses and diseases and not enough on health education and prevention.
health service
noun phrase
A public service providing medical care.
Example: Perhaps they should rename our national health services ‘national illness services’.
lifestyle
noun phrase
The way in which a person lives.
Example: Governments will probably argue that it is necessary to spend a large proportion of health budgets on treating illness because the general population do not live healthy lifestyles and so become ill.
prevention
noun
The action of stopping something from happening or arising.
Example: Governments around the world spend too much money on treating illnesses and diseases and not enough on health education and prevention.
scientific research
noun phrase
Scientific research is the systematic investigation of scientific theories and hypotheses. A hypothesis is a single assertion, a proposed explanation of something based on available knowledge, for something yet to be explained.
Example: Rich governments can spend more money on scientific research to find the causes of new diseases such as AIDS.
spend
verb
Give (money) to pay for goods, services, or so as to benefit someone or something.
Example: Governments continue to spend such large sums of money on treating illness and disease.
treat
verb
Give medical care or attention to; try to heal or cure.
Example: Governments continue to spend such large sums of money on treating illness and disease.
