Tag: health and medicine

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A report by Human Rights Watch highlights major donor nations cutting financial support for global health programs, particularly those fighting HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.

Read the article to know why these reductions in funding risk reversing years of progress and could lead to increased preventable deaths in vulnerable populations.

https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/01/22/donor-nation-cuts-to-global-health-financing-affect-millions?

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “marginalized group” mean? “Human Rights Watch found that global health funding cuts in 2025 have already had a dire impact, especially for marginalized groups that face systemic discrimination and barriers to health care, including men who have sex with men, transgender people, sex workers, and people who use drugs.” Use it in a sentence.
2. What does “systemic discrimination” mean? “Human Rights Watch found that global health funding cuts in 2025 have already had a dire impact, especially for marginalized groups that face systemic discrimination and barriers to health care, including men who have sex with men, transgender people, sex workers, and people who use drugs.” Use it in a sentence.
3. What does “outreach worker” mean? “Human Rights Watch interviewed 47 nongovernmental organization workers, health care outreach workers, and aid recipients affected by recent cuts to global health financing in Indonesia, Laos, and Nepal, focusing specifically on HIV/AIDS prevention and care.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you think cutting global health funding could affect developing countries the most?
2. Should wealthy nations prioritize global health aid even if they face economic challenges at home? Why or why not?
3. What diseases or health programs do you think would be impacted first by funding reductions?
4. How might global health funding cuts affect the world beyond the countries receiving aid?
5. What solutions could governments or organizations explore to prevent millions of lives from being at risk?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Sometimes, a positive habit can turn into something harmful when taken to extremes. What begins as a desire to make better choices may grow into an obsession that affects health, relationships, and daily life. This discussion looks at how balance is lost when the pursuit of “doing the right thing” goes too far.

Let’s read the article and find out more about how this happens, what signs to watch for, and why balance is so important.

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “hard and fast line” mean? “[There] is no hard and fast line between nutritionally advisable behaviors and potentially dangerous — or even disastrous — ones.” Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.
2. What does “besiege” mean? “On one side, we are besieged by ultra-processed, factory-farmed, nutrient-poor, and inflammatory food products, many of which are undeniably harming our health.” Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.
3. What does “to fall squarely into something” mean? “When I first read about orthorexia 10 or so years ago, I fell squarely into that skeptical camp.” Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think motivates people to become overly strict about healthy eating?
2. How can an obsession with “clean” food affect someone’s social life?
3. In what ways might orthorexia differ from other eating disorders?
4. How could healthcare professionals help someone struggling with orthorexia?
5. What role do social media and wellness trends play in reinforcing orthorexic behaviors?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) issued an international alert because measles outbreaks are rising in multiple countries in the Americas.

Read the article to know more about how the warning suggests declining vaccination coverage after the pandemic has created “immunity gaps,” allowing the highly contagious disease to spread again.

https://www.paho.org/en/news/4-2-2026-paho-issues-epidemiological-alert-amid-continued-measles-transmission-americas-and

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “vulnerable population” mean? Use the term in a sentence. “The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has issued a new epidemiological alert on measles for the Region of the Americas, calling on countries to intensify epidemiological surveillance, vaccination, and rapid outbreak response activities to interrupt transmission and protect vulnerable populations.”
2. What does “immunity gap” mean? Use the phrase in a sentence. “PAHO recommends strengthening surveillance and active case finding, including laboratory diagnosis; implementing supplementary immunization activities to close immunity gaps; and ensuring a timely response to any suspected measles case.”
3. What does “active transmission” mean? Use it in a sentence. “At the same time, for all countries in the Region, PAHO stressed the importance of closing vaccination coverage gaps, maintaining sensitive and timely surveillance, and protecting travelers through vaccination, particularly those traveling to areas with active transmission.”

Discussion Questions:

1. Why do you think measles is starting to spread again in different countries?
2. How did the pandemic affect vaccination rates?
3. Who is most at risk when measles outbreaks happen?
4. Why is measles considered a dangerous disease even though it can be prevented?
5. What can governments and families do to stop measles from spreading?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Scientists believe excess body fat disrupts the immune system, making the body less able to fight viruses and bacteria. Experts are urging governments to promote healthier food access and physical activity to prevent hospitalizations and deaths as obesity rates continue rising worldwide.

Read the article to know why obesity is not only a weight problem; it also weakens immunity.

https://www.euronews.com/health/2026/02/11/obesity-is-linked-to-70-higher-risk-of-infection-and-1-in-10-deaths-worldwide-study-says

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “infectious disease” mean? Use the phrase in a sentence. “Our finding that obesity is a risk factor for a wide range of infectious diseases suggests that broad biological mechanisms may be involved.”
2. What is “dataset”? Use the term in a sentence. “The study analysed data from over 67,000 adults in Finland and over 470,000 adults in the UK Biobank dataset to look at the relationship between obesity and severe infectious disease.”
3. What does “underlying” mean? Use the word in a sentence. “Kivimäki noted, however, that additional research is required to confirm the mechanisms underlying these associations.”

Discussion Questions:

1. What surprised you most about how obesity affects the immune system?
2. Which illnesses become more dangerous for people who are obese?
3. The article says some infection-related deaths are linked to obesity why do you think that happens?
4. Why do experts say obesity is more than just a “weight” problem?
5. What do you think governments or people can actually do to lower these health risks?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Many people experience a sudden drop in energy during the middle of the afternoon. This energy dip can make it harder to focus, stay productive, and maintain motivation. Understanding why it happens and learning simple ways to manage it can help you stay alert and keep your day on track.

Let’s read the article and find out practical tips to overcome the midafternoon slump and keep your energy steady throughout the day.

https://www.businessinsider.com/why-you-get-tired-2pm-what-to-do-2021-5

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “energy lag” mean? “A good way to fight off tiredness during that midafternoon energy lag is to do some stretches.” Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.
2. What does “to feel sluggish” mean? “Fat takes a long time to digest and makes the body feel sluggish.” Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.
3. Define the word “jittery“. “Side effects of having too much caffeine can include feeling jittery.” Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

1. Why do you think many people feel tired in the afternoon?
2. How does the midafternoon slump affect your productivity or mood?
3. What strategies have you tried to stay energized during the day?
4. In your opinion, is the afternoon slump more physical or psychological? Share your insights.
5. How might cultural or workplace habits influence when people feel most tired during the day?