Tag: health and medicine

Doctor Brings Healing to Patients

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Gone are the days when doctors would actually visit the sick and heal them from the comfort of their homes. But what one doctor is bringing that back.

Listen to the audio and read the transcript about what Ernest Brown does and why he is considered unique.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/doctor-healing-patients-in-homes/2829125.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. Explain Dr. Brown’s background and how he was led to making house calls. What is “concierge services.”?
  2. Are house doctors a popular idea in your city or region?
  3. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of doctors making house calls?
  4. Talk about the last time you were sick and had to see a doctor.

Childhood Obesity

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We are all guilty of giving children just what they want to show how much we love them.  But, sometimes, we forget that too much of something is not good. Letting them eat more than what is needed and not monitoring their unhealthy eating habits could lead to serious consequences.

Read the article below to know more about the facts when it comes to childhood obesity.

http://www.english-online.at/health_medicine/childhood-obesity/causes-and-risks-of-childhood-obesity.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you noticed if childhood obesity is happening in your country? Explain why it is or not happening there?
  2. What are good ways to combat childhood obesity?
  3. Describe the kind of eating habits you had as a child and how has it changed as you grew older.
  4. If you had/have children, what would be/are your rules when it comes to food and eating?
  5. Should we pressure children to be so worried about their diet? Elaborate on your stand.

US Love Affair with McDonald’s Waning

B2 – Upper Intermediate

More and more Americans are turning their backs on McDonald’s. With lower sales for six straight quarters, one of the largest fast-food chain’s new British CEO’s main task now is to entice Americans to remain drawn to eating their burgers, among their other food products.

Read the article about how Americans’ love for McDonald’s is waning.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-32573204

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are reasons for fast food becoming less craved for by many?
  2. How much do people love fast food in your country? Why do you think it’s that way?
  3. Do you agree that people are more health-conscious nowadays? Explain your point.
  4. What are the pros and cons of fast food?
  5. Talk about your own diet / eating habits.

Vaccines Protect Us From Diseases

B1 – Intermediate

Vaccines have been around for many years. But how does it work and what does it do to our body?

Click the title below to know more about vaccines. Be ready to answer some discussion questions.

http://www.english-online.at/health_medicine/vaccines/vaccines-antibodies-that-protect-us-from-diseases.html

Discussion Questions:

1. In your own words, please explain what vaccines are?
2. What are some of the common vaccines that you know?
3. What do you think about vaccines? Are they helpful or harmful?
4. Do you agree that some vaccines can cause illnesses?

Burnout Is Not a Badge of Success

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Getting tired and working too hard is now being equated to productiveness. And there is a growing sense of pride in being too busy to do anything else but work.

Should this be the case? Is this the better choice?

Read the article why a burnout is not a badge of success.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/self-made/202509/burnout-is-not-a-badge-of-success

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “slammed” mean? “If I were to ask these women, “how are you doing,” I would hear a chorus of “busy,” “exhausted,” and “totally slammed right now.” Use this term in a sentence.
  2. What is a “badge of honor“? “Burnout has become so normalized in our culture that it’s practically a badge of honor.” Use this term in a sentence.
  3. What is a “perfect storm“? “Layer that onto professional expectations of working longer, harder, and faster just to be seen as “equally competent,” and you’ve got a perfect storm for burnout.” Use this term in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some effects of occupational burnout?
  2. Why do you think being busy is often mistaken for status and success?
  3. What is your opinion about this, “It’s time to choose energy as a status signal instead.“?
  4. What are your thoughts on this, “Success can feel energizing – when it aligns with values.“
  5. Do you think people in your country cling to burnout culture? Why do you think this is the case?

 

Organ Donation Myths

B2 – Upper Intermediate

More than 100,000 patients in the U.S. are waiting for an organ donor. However, there’s just not enough people who are interested in doing this. There’s always the fear of the risks surrounding this procedure.

What do we really need to know about organ donation?

Read the article below that might help clear up some myths about organ donation.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/consumer-health/in-depth/organ-donation/art-20047529?pg=1

Discussion Questions:

1. What was your notion on organ donation before reading this article?
2. What is your opinion about organ donation?
3. Would you consider organ donation?

Bad Luck Can Cause Cancer

B2 – Upper Intermediate

You’ve got people who smoke and live to be 90. Then you’ve got fit ones who are diagnosed with cancer in their 40s. A research from the Johns Hopkins Medicine says that it could be bad luck cancer – and it’s could be the primary cause for some cases of cancer.

Read the article and watch the video to know the role bad luck plays in some cancer cases.

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/01/02/health/cancer-random-mutation/

Discussion Questions:

  1. According to researchers, someone who smoked and still lived to be 90 just got plain good luck and those who live like Puritans and get cancer anyway — that’s bad luck – and it’s the primary cause of most cancer cases. Does luck have anything to do with cancer risk factors? Share your thoughts on this.
  2. Share your insights on this, “Some forms of cancer (like lung and skin cancer) are exceptions, where lifestyle and environment play a big role.”
  3. What are your thoughts on this, “All cancers are caused by a combination of bad luck, the environment and heredity.”
  4. Do you see a lot of money going into cancer research in your country? Talk about this matter.

Sunburn Dangers

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Summertime is the perfect time for everyone to get tanned. But if you are so fond of being under the sun, you should also be aware of the dangers it poses on your health.

Watch the video about the dangers of sunburns.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How dangerous are sunburns?
  2. Are you conscious at all about your skin’s health? Why or why not?
  3. Do you like being under the sun or getting tanned? Why or why not? Share some of your experiences getting sunburns.
  4. How important is it to make sure that your skin is protected when you do outdoor activities?
  5. What are some things you do in order to protect your skin from the sun?

Fall Ill When on Holiday

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Most people have probably experienced accomplishing all their tasks right before they go on holiday. In effect, they would subsequently encounter post-work health decline too.

Read the article on the truth about leisure illnesses.

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20150216-the-truth-about-holiday-illnesses

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the causes of leisure illness?
  2. What do you think are ways to prevent it?
  3. Have you ever experienced leisure sickness? Why did you get sick at the time?
  4. How do you feel before and after going on holiday?
  5. Would you be more conscious about leisure illness now that you are aware it exists? Why or why not?

Ways Smartphone Wreck Your Health

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Cellular phones or cellphones are now an essential part of living. Without our mobile phones, it’s pretty difficult to function normally. 

While we have grown more and more attached to and dependent on our mobiles, it is imperative to be aware of how it could affect our health.

Click the link below to  know more about the dangers of using smartphones.

https://www.webmd.com/balance/ss/slideshow-smart-phone-health-problems

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is an “over-the-counter drug“? “If the damage is done, simple rest, a heating pad, and over-the-counter drugs for pain and stiffness should help.” Use this term in a sentence.
  2. What does “in plain view“? “Even if you don’t look at it, just putting a phone in plain view when you talk to someone can get in the way of making a strong connection.” Use this term in a sentence.
  3. What is a “splint”? “A night splint to keep your arm straight may help, too.” Use this term in a sentence.

Discussing Questions:

  1. Which among the practices mentioned in the article are you guilty of?
  2. What are some things you do to avoid problems cause by using mobile phones?
  3. What are your thoughts on how much people use their phones? What about children?