IELTS Vocabulary for Health: Essential Words & Phrases

 20 common health-related phrases

1. Maintain a balanced diet = Eat a variety of healthy foods in the right proportions.
2. Suffer from a chronic illness = Have a long-term disease or condition that requires ongoing treatment.
3. Have a weak immune system = Have a body that is less able to fight infections and diseases.
4. Recover from an illness = Return to a healthy state after being sick.
5. Preventive healthcare measures = Actions taken to avoid diseases and maintain good health.
6. Suffer from obesity = Be excessively overweight, often leading to health issues.
7. A sedentary lifestyle = A way of living that involves little or no physical activity.
8. Seek medical attention = Visit a doctor or healthcare professional for treatment.
9. Improve overall well-being = Enhance physical, mental, and emotional health.
10. Mental health issues = Psychological conditions that affect mood, behavior, or thinking.
11. Undergo medical treatment = Receive medical care, such as surgery or medication.
12. Public health awareness = Knowledge and understanding of health issues in society.
13. Reduce the risk of heart disease = Lower the chances of developing cardiovascular problems.
14. Access to quality healthcare = The ability to receive good medical services.
15. Suffer from a minor ailment = Have a small or less serious illness, such as a cold.
16. Have regular check-ups = Visit a doctor periodically for health examinations.
17. Spread of infectious diseases = The transmission of illnesses from one person to another.
18. Develop healthy eating habits = Create a routine of consuming nutritious food.
19. Experience severe symptoms = Have intense or serious signs of an illness.
20. Get vaccinated against diseases = Receive an injection to protect against infections.

20 useful phrases for IELTS Writing Task 2 Health Essays

1. The rising prevalence of lifestyle diseases = The increasing occurrence of diseases related to unhealthy habits, such as obesity and diabetes.
2. Government intervention in public health = Actions taken by the government to improve public health, such as regulations and awareness campaigns.
3. The burden on healthcare systems = The strain or pressure on hospitals and medical facilities due to a high number of patients.
4. The increasing cost of medical treatment = The rising expenses for healthcare services, medications, and surgeries.
5. The importance of preventive healthcare = The significance of taking measures to avoid illnesses, such as vaccinations and regular check-ups.
6. Promoting a healthy lifestyle through education = Encouraging people to adopt good health habits by teaching them about nutrition and exercise.
7. The impact of junk food on public health = The negative effects of unhealthy processed food on people’s well-being, leading to diseases like obesity and diabetes.
8. Encouraging physical activity to combat obesity = Motivating people to exercise regularly to reduce the risk of excessive weight gain and related illnesses.
9. The role of the government in healthcare funding = The responsibility of authorities to allocate financial resources to medical services and public health initiatives.
10. The benefits of universal healthcare = The advantages of a system where medical treatment is free or affordable for all citizens.
11. The link between poor diet and chronic illnesses = The connection between unhealthy eating habits and long-term diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.
12. Addressing mental health concerns in society = Taking action to improve psychological well-being and provide support for people with mental disorders.
13. The effectiveness of vaccination programs = How well immunization campaigns prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
14. The role of advertising in unhealthy food consumption = How marketing influences people to buy and eat processed or sugary foods.
15. Healthcare disparities between rich and poor = The difference in medical care quality between wealthy and underprivileged individuals.
16. Balancing personal responsibility and government support in healthcare = Finding a middle ground between people taking care of their health and government assistance in medical services.
17. The ethical implications of genetic modification in medicine = The moral concerns related to altering human genes for medical treatments.
18. The dangers of antibiotic resistance = The risks caused by bacteria becoming immune to medications, making infections harder to treat.
19. The correlation between socioeconomic status and health outcomes = The relationship between a person’s financial situation and their likelihood of being healthy or sick.
20. The necessity of increasing healthcare expenditure = The need for governments to invest more money in medical facilities, staff, and research.

10 useful idioms and phrases related to health

1. Under the weather = Feeling slightly ill or unwell.
2. Back on one’s feet = Recovering from an illness or difficult situation.
3. An apple a day keeps the doctor away = Eating healthy foods helps prevent illness.
4. At death’s door = Being seriously ill or close to dying.
5. A clean bill of health = A medical report stating that someone is healthy.
6. Black out = To lose consciousness temporarily.
7. Break out in a sweat = To suddenly start sweating due to illness, fear, or stress.
8. Kick the habit = To stop a bad habit, such as smoking or drinking.
9. Take a turn for the worse = To suddenly become sicker or in a worse condition.
10. On the mend = Gradually recovering from an illness or injury.

IELTS Speaking Part 1 Health topic

1. Do you think you have a healthy lifestyle? Why or why not?

“I try to be healthy as much as I can. I avoid fast food and eat home-cooked meals most of the time. I also make sure to stay active and drink plenty of water. Of course, I’m not perfect, but I do my best to stay in good shape.”

2. What do you usually do to stay fit and healthy?

“I stay healthy by avoiding junk food and cutting down on sugar. I also try intermittent fasting sometimes because it helps with digestion. Other than that, I just try to eat well, stay active, and get enough sleep.”

3. How important is a balanced diet to you?

“It’s really important! I think what we eat has a huge impact on our health. I try to eat a mix of vegetables, protein, and whole grains, and I keep my sugar intake low. Of course, I enjoy treats now and then, but I try to keep things balanced.”

4. Do you think people today are healthier than in the past? Why?

“Not really. There are way more obese people today because of fast food and unhealthy lifestyles. A lot of people don’t exercise enough, and they eat too much processed food. Even though healthcare has improved, lifestyle diseases like diabetes and heart problems are more common now.”

5. What do you do when you feel unwell?

“If I feel sick, I just rest, drink lots of water, and try to relax. If it’s something serious, I’ll go to the nearest clinic to get checked by a doctor. But usually, a bit of rest is enough to feel better.”

IELTS Speaking Part 2 – Health Topic

Describe a time when you were sick and had to take rest.

You should say:

• What illness you had
• How long you were sick
• What you did to recover
• And explain how you felt during and after the illness.

Useful vocabulary

• a terrible headache = a very bad pain in the head
• On top of that = in addition; furthermore
• skipped meals = did not eat meals
• took a toll = had a negative impact
• take it easy = relax and not do too much
• take some medicine = consume medication for treatment
• exhausted = extremely tired
• a wake-up call = a realization or warning about a serious issue

IELTS Speaking Part 3 – Follow-up Questions & Answers

1. What are the main causes of health problems in modern society?

“There are a few big reasons why people have more health problems these days. First, the fast food industry is everywhere, and their advertising makes unhealthy food look so tempting. A lot of people eat junk food because it’s quick and cheap. Second, most people are really busy, so they don’t have time to cook proper meals or exercise. On top of that, stress is a huge issue. Work, money, and even social media can make people feel anxious, which affects their health too. All of this adds up and leads to serious health problems over time.”

2. What can individuals do to maintain good health in their daily lives?

“I think the key is to make health a priority. It’s easy to get caught up in work or school and forget to take care of yourself. One simple step is cutting down on junk food and eating home-cooked meals instead. Also, checking food labels helps because a lot of processed foods have hidden sugar and fat. Exercise is important too, but it doesn’t have to be anything extreme—just walking more or taking the stairs can help. The main thing is to make small, healthy choices every day so it becomes a habit.”

3. Why does the government need to take responsibility for public health?

“The government definitely needs to care about public health because it affects everyone. First, if people are unhealthy, hospitals get overcrowded, and that puts a lot of pressure on the healthcare system. Second, when a country has a lot of sick people, productivity drops—people miss work, and that affects the economy. Also, many health problems today, like obesity and diabetes, are caused by things like junk food and lack of exercise, which the government can help control. They can run health campaigns, put higher taxes on unhealthy food, and ban misleading ads, especially ones targeting kids. If they don’t take action, the situation will only get worse.”