IELTS vocabulary: Health

These 12 B2–C1 words and collocations are useful for discussing public health, medical care and lifestyle factors in Writing Task 2 and Speaking Part 3.

preventive measures noun phrase: Actions taken to stop illnesses or problems before they occur.; “Governments should invest in preventive measures like vaccination programmes and school health education to lower future medical costs.”
chronic condition noun: A long-lasting illness that often requires ongoing management rather than a one-time cure.; “Arthritis is a chronic condition that can affect mobility and quality of life if not managed properly.”
lifestyle-related adjective: Describing illnesses or problems caused or worsened by everyday habits such as diet, exercise or smoking.; “Many lifestyle-related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, could be reduced by promoting healthier eating and more physical activity.”
public healthcare system noun phrase: A network of medical services funded or provided by the government for the population.; “In some towns the public healthcare system provides free annual check-ups, which helps detect diseases early.”
mental wellbeing noun phrase: A person’s emotional and psychological health, including how they cope with stress and relate to others.; “Schools should teach stress-management techniques to support students' mental wellbeing.”
to alleviate verb: To make pain, suffering or a problem less severe.; “Community exercise classes can help alleviate back pain for many older adults.”
health inequality noun phrase: Differences in health status or access to healthcare between different groups of people.; “Policymakers must address health inequality so that low-income families can access the same quality care as wealthier citizens.”
to undergo treatment verb phrase: To receive medical care or procedures for an illness or injury.; “After testing positive, he had to undergo treatment for several weeks before he could return to work.”
healthcare infrastructure noun phrase: The physical facilities, equipment and organisation needed to deliver medical services.; “Remote islands often lack adequate healthcare infrastructure, making emergency care difficult to provide.”
vaccination uptake noun phrase: The proportion of people in a population who receive a vaccine.; “High vaccination uptake is essential to prevent outbreaks of infectious diseases in schools.”
health literacy noun phrase: The ability to find, understand and use health information to make appropriate health decisions.; “Improving health literacy helps patients follow treatment plans and reduces medication errors.”
to put a strain on phrasal verb: To create pressure or a heavy burden on a system, person or resource.; “An ageing population will put a strain on healthcare budgets and staffing levels.”