Topic Vocabulary: Health

Essential Health Vocabulary for Band 7+

Health topics appear frequently in both Task 1 and Task 2. Academic health vocabulary distinguishes Band 6 responses from Band 7+ ones.

Core Topic Nouns

Physical health: chronic disease, cardiovascular disease, obesity epidemic, sedentary lifestyle, malnutrition, life expectancy, preventive medicine Mental health: mental health disorders, anxiety, depression, psychological wellbeing, burnout, stigma, cognitive decline, emotional resilience Healthcare systems: universal healthcare, healthcare access, medical infrastructure, patient outcomes, preventive care, primary care Lifestyle: physical inactivity, processed food, substance abuse, sleep deprivation, work-life balance

High-Scoring Collocations

chronic health conditions, rising obesity rates, mental health stigma, preventive healthcare, sedentary lifestyle, universal healthcare access, psychological wellbeing

Band Comparison

Band 5: Many people are not healthy because they eat bad food and do not exercise.

Band 7: The rising prevalence of obesity is largely attributed to increasingly sedentary lifestyles and the widespread consumption of processed foods.

Band 9: The global obesity epidemic reflects a complex interplay of socioeconomic factors, dietary habits, and increasingly sedentary occupational patterns — a public health crisis that demands coordinated intervention.

Practice Question

In many countries, the average life expectancy is increasing. What are the effects of an ageing population on society? What measures can be taken to deal with these effects?