Health & Wellbeing

Health and wellbeing is a staple IELTS topic that spans physical health, mental health, diet, exercise, healthcare systems, and public health policy. You will encounter it in Writing Task 2 (e.g., "Should governments do more to promote healthy lifestyles?"), Reading, and Speaking.

---

Core Vocabulary

Physical Health

Word / Phrase	Definition	Example
obesity	The condition of being significantly overweight	Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions in many developed countries.
sedentary lifestyle	A way of living with little or no physical activity	A sedentary lifestyle is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
chronic disease	A long-lasting health condition (diabetes, heart disease)	Chronic diseases account for the majority of healthcare expenditure worldwide.
life expectancy	The average number of years a person is expected to live	Life expectancy has increased dramatically over the past century.
immune system	The body's defence against infection and disease	A balanced diet strengthens the immune system.
infectious disease	A disease caused by pathogens that can spread between people	Vaccination has dramatically reduced the prevalence of infectious diseases.
malnutrition	Poor nutrition caused by an inadequate or unbalanced diet	Malnutrition remains a leading cause of death in developing countries.
preventive medicine	Healthcare focused on preventing disease rather than treating it	Investing in preventive medicine is more cost-effective than treating illness after it occurs.

Mental Health

Word / Phrase	Definition	Example
mental health	A person's psychological and emotional wellbeing	Mental health should be given the same priority as physical health.
anxiety	A feeling of worry or unease, often persistent	Social media has been linked to increased levels of anxiety among teenagers.
depression	A mood disorder causing persistent sadness and loss of interest	Depression is now one of the leading causes of disability worldwide.
stress	Physical or mental tension resulting from demanding circumstances	Work-related stress is a growing concern in many countries.
burnout	Physical and emotional exhaustion from prolonged stress	The increasing pace of modern life has led to widespread burnout among professionals.
wellbeing	The state of being comfortable, healthy, and happy	Governments are increasingly recognising the importance of measuring citizens' overall wellbeing.
resilience	The ability to recover from difficulties	Building emotional resilience in young people is essential for their long-term mental health.
stigma	Negative attitudes and discrimination associated with a condition	The stigma surrounding mental illness prevents many people from seeking help.

Healthcare Systems