Tag: health and medicine

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A recent study suggests that taking a 5-minute walk every hour may help reduce the harmful effects of sitting for long periods. Participants who took regular walking breaks reported feeling less tired, having a better mood, and experiencing improved blood circulation.

Read the article to know how short walks can help people stay active. They also recommend getting at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week for overall health.

https://www.health.com/five-minute-walk-every-hour-offsets-effects-of-sitting-12005804

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “cardiometabolic” mean? “They tested five-minute walks because previous studies have found that this time frame yields better cardiometabolic, mood, and fatigue outcomes than shorter intervals, while still being a realistic goal.” Use it in a sentence.
2. What does “reset button” mean here: “
   Walking breaks serve as physiological reset buttons—they reactivate the muscles in your legs, improve circulation, and give your brain a much-needed break.” Use it in a sentence.
3. What does “hidden cost” mean? “There is a hidden cost to our sedentary lifestyles.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are the benefits of taking a 5-minute walk every hour?
2. Why can sitting for long periods be harmful to our health?
3. Do you usually take breaks while working or studying? Why or why not?
4. What are some easy ways to stay active during a busy day?
5. Do you think you could make this habit part of your daily routine? Why or why not?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The World Health Organization announced that the outbreak of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Read the article to know why the declaration aims to strengthen international coordination and response to contain the disease.

https://www.who.int/news/item/17-05-2026-epidemic-of-ebola-disease-in-the-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-and-uganda-determined-a-public-health-emergency-of-international-concern?

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “epidemiological link” mean? “In addition, there is limited understanding of the epidemiological links with known or suspected cases.” Use it in a sentence.
2. What does “case management” mean? “These measures must include enhanced surveillance including contact tracing, infection prevention and control (IPC), risk communication and community engagement, laboratory diagnostic testing, and case management.” Use it in a sentence.
3. What does “nosocomial infection” mean? “Strengthen measures to prevent nosocomial infections, including systematic mapping of health facilities, triage, targeted IPC interventions and sustained monitoring and sustained supervision.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you know about Ebola and how it spreads?
2. Why do you think the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a global health emergency?
3. How can countries work together to prevent the spread of infectious diseases?
4. Do you think people should be concerned about outbreaks happening in other countries? Why or why not?
5. What lessons have we learned from past health emergencies, such as COVID-19, that could help manage Ebola outbreaks?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Researchers analyzed data from 1,028 vaccinated individuals and found that the dengue vaccine TAK-003 showed good safety and tolerability, including among older adults and people with chronic illnesses.

Read the article to know why the findings support wider use of the vaccine to help prevent dengue infections in vulnerable populations.

https://www.news-medical.net/news/20260604/New-data-confirms-dengue-vaccine-safety-for-older-and-chronic-risk-travelers.aspx?

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “mosquito vector” mean? ” In recent decades, dengue incidence has increased due to the geographical spread of mosquito vectors, driven in part by climate change, as well as the rise in international travel, which contributes to the global circulation of the virus.” Use it in a sentence.
2. What does “pharmacovigilance” mean? “To help address this knowledge gap, we conducted a pharmacovigilance study across eight travel health centers in Catalonia.” Use it in a sentence.
3. What does “concomitant vaccine” mean? “The analysis found that female participants, people with a previous dengue infection, and those who received concomitant vaccines against other flaviviruses (such as the yellow fever vaccine) had a higher risk of adverse events.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. Have you ever received a vaccine before traveling to another country?
2. Why do you think it is important for older adults and people with chronic illnesses to be protected against dengue?
3. Would you feel more confident traveling to a tropical country if a dengue vaccine was available? Why or why not?
4. What are some ways travelers can protect themselves from mosquito-borne diseases besides vaccination?
5. Do you think governments should recommend dengue vaccines to high-risk travelers? Why?

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Ebola is a severe and often deadly viral disease that affects humans and other primates. It is caused by the Ebola virus and spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person or contaminated objects.

The World Health Organization has declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo a public health emergency of international concern.

This outbreak is especially difficult because it involves a rare strain of Ebola that currently has no vaccine, and infections have been reported in a conflict-affected region.

Read the article about Ebola and why stopping the latest outbreak in DR Congo is so difficult.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz72p75zg4qo

Vocabulary Questions:

1. Define “organ failure”. “As the disease progresses, vomiting and diarrhoea develop and it can lead to organ failure.” Use the term in a sentence.
2. What does “porous” mean here: “A further complication is that the outbreak is taking place in a conflict zone, with a quarter of million people displaced from their homes and people moving across porous borders into neighbouring countries.” Use the word in this context in a sentence. Give a synonym. 
3. What does “to bolster” mean? “Several African countries are tightening border screenings and bolstering health facilities.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a synonym. 

Discussion Questions:

1. What makes the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo difficult to control?
2. Why do you think Ebola outbreaks are so dangerous compared to other diseases?
3. What do you think is the most effective way to stop the spread of Ebola in the long term?
4. How important is international cooperation in responding to outbreaks like Ebola?
5. What challenges do healthcare workers face when treating Ebola patients?
6. How can misinformation or fear impact efforts to stop an Ebola outbreak?
7. What lessons has the world learned from past Ebola outbreaks?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A cruise ship (MV Hondius) reported a suspected hantavirus outbreak three people died, several others infected. The ship was blocked from docking due to health risks.

Hantavirus spreads mainly through rodent droppings or urine WHO called it a “public health event”, but said global risk is low. Countries are coordinating medical evacuation and investigation.

Read the article about confirmed or suspected cases of hantavirus on the luxury cruise ship MV Hondius.

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/may/04/cruise-ship-suspected-hantavirus-outbreak-blocked-docking-cape-verde?

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “to scramble” mean? “The statement on Monday came hours after global health officials said they were scrambling to investigate the suspected outbreak of hantavirus, a disease primarily found in rodents, on the cruise ship in the Atlantic.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
2. What does “stricken” mean? “On Monday the WHO said seven cases of hantavirus – a disease primarily found in rodents – were either confirmed or suspected as the stricken ship was held off west Africa with mostly British, American and Spanish passengers on board.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
3. What does “contact tracing” mean? “South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases was carrying out contact tracing in and around Johannesburg in order to assess whether people had been exposed to the infected passengers.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think should be the priority during this kind of medical incidents: is it protecting the passengers and crew of the ship or protecting the countries they want to dock in?
2. If you were a passenger on the cruise ship, how would you feel about not being allowed to dock? What would you expect from the government?
3. In your opinion, who should be more responsible in situations like this: the cruise company, the government, or global health organizations? Explain your answer.
4. Do you still think that cruise ships are safe despite hearing about virus outbreaks like this? Why or why not?
5. How can countries balance touristic activities (like cruises) with public health safety especially during a possible disease outbreak?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A joint statement by the EPA and HHS gave incorrect figures about how many microplastics are found in the brain and did not clearly explain how they plan to regulate the issue.

Meanwhile, a study in Nature Health reported that microplastics were present in almost all of the 191 human brain samples it examined.

Read the article to know why microplastics have become embedded in our modern lives.

https://healthpolicy-watch.news/microplastics-in-the-brain/

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “turning point” mean? “US Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr hailed a federal proposal by the EPA to track microplastics contamination in drinking water earlier this month as “a turning point” in the effort to confront microplastics that have “become embedded in modern life.” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
2. What does “engulf” mean? “The threat of micro- and nanoplastics contamination in the brain tissue raises significant concern as they can penetrate the blood-brain barrier, where they are subsequently engulfed by the brain’s immune cells, known as microglia” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.
3. What does “stringent” mean? “They stressed that this direct exposure pathway demands global attention and the urgent establishment of stringent quality-control standards within the healthcare industry..” Use it in a sentence. Give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

1. What was your reaction when you learned that microplastics can be found in the human brain?
2. How do you think microplastics enter the human body and reach the brain?
3. What possible health effects do you think microplastics could have on humans?
4. Do you think governments and companies are doing enough to reduce plastic pollution? Why or why not?
5. What simple changes can individuals make in their daily lives to reduce exposure to microplastics?