IELTS Vocabulary: Healthcare
Essential IELTS vocabulary for discussing health systems, diseases, and medical advances.
15 words — Band 6 to Band 8+
Band 6Band 6 Vocabulary
epidemic
A widespread occurrence of an infectious disease
“The government implemented measures to control the epidemic.”
preventive
Designed to prevent disease or illness
“Preventive healthcare reduces long-term medical costs.”
diagnosis
Identification of a disease from symptoms
“Early diagnosis significantly improves cancer survival rates.”
chronic
Persisting for a long time
“Chronic diseases account for the majority of healthcare spending.”
mental health
Psychological and emotional wellbeing
“Mental health awareness has increased significantly in recent years.”
immunization
The process of making a person immune to disease
“Immunization programs have eradicated several diseases.”
Band 7Band 7 Vocabulary
pharmaceutical
Relating to medicinal drugs
“The pharmaceutical industry invests heavily in research.”
rehabilitation
The process of restoring health after illness or injury
“Rehabilitation programs help patients recover from surgery.”
malnutrition
Lack of proper nutrition
“Malnutrition remains a leading cause of child mortality.”
pandemic
A disease prevalent over a whole country or the world
“The pandemic exposed weaknesses in global health systems.”
Band 8+Band 8+ Vocabulary
comorbidity
The simultaneous presence of two or more diseases
“Patients with comorbidities face higher risks during surgery.”
palliative
Relieving pain without dealing with the cause
“Palliative care focuses on quality of life for terminal patients.”
etiology
The cause or origin of a disease
“Understanding the etiology of the disease led to better treatments.”
prognosis
The likely course of a disease or ailment
“The prognosis for early-stage cancer has improved dramatically.”
prophylactic
Intended to prevent disease
“Prophylactic measures can reduce the spread of infection.”