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English for the Students of Public Health (Vol. 1)

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Unit 1:

What is Health?
‫‪20 ˆ English for the Students of Public Health‬‬

‫آﺷﻨﺎﻳﻲ ﺑﺎ ﻣﺘﻦ ﻫﺎي درس‬

‫درس ﻳﻚ داراي ﺳﻪ ﻣﺘﻦ ﺟﺪاﮔﺎﻧﻪ اﺳﺖ‪ (1):‬ﻣﺘﻦ اﺻﻠﻲ)‪(Reading‬؛ )‪(2‬ﻣﺘﻦ ﺧﻮاﻧﺪﻧﻲ اﺿﺎﻓﻲ‬
‫)‪(Further Reading‬؛ )‪(3‬ﻣﺘﻦ ﻛﺎﻣﻞ ﻛﺮدﻧﻲ)‪.(Cloze‬‬
‫ﻣﺘﻦ اﺻﻠﻲ ﺗﺤﺖ ﻋﻨﻮان ?‪ What is Health‬از ﻣﻔﻬﻮم ﺳﻼﻣﺖ و ﺑﻪ وﻳﮋه ﺗﻌﺮﻳﻒ ﺳﻼﻣﺖ از‬
‫ﻧﻈﺮ ﺳﺎزﻣﺎن ﺟﻬﺎﻧﻲ ﺑﻬﺪاﺷﺖ ﮔﻔﺘﮕﻮ ﻣﻲ ﻛﻨﺪ‪.‬‬
‫ﻣﺘﻦ ﺧﻮاﻧﺪﻧﻲ اﺿﺎﻓﻲ ﺗﺤﺖ ﻋﻨﻮان ‪ The Meaning of Health‬ﻣﻔﻬﻮم و ﺗﻌﺮﻳﻒ ﺳﻼﻣﺖ را‬
‫از ﻧﮕﺎﻫﻲ دﻳﮕﺮ ﻣﻮرد ﺑﺤﺚ ﻗﺮار ﻣﻲ دﻫﺪ‪.‬‬
‫ﻣﺘﻦ ﻛﺎﻣﻞ ﻛﺮدﻧﻲ ﺗﺤﺖ ﻋﻨﻮان ‪ People’s Understanding of Health‬ﺑﻪ درك ﻣﺮدم‬
‫از ﺳﻼﻣﺖ ﻣﻲ ﭘﺮدازد‪.‬‬

‫ﻫﺪف ﻛﻠﻲ‪:‬‬
‫آﺷﻨﺎﻳﻲ ﺑﺎ واژﮔﺎن و اﺻﻄﻼﺣﺎت ﻣﺮﺗﺒﻂ ﺑﺎ ﻣﻔﻬﻮم »ﺳﻼﻣﺖ« و درك ﻣﻄﻠﺐ اﻳﻦ ﻣﺘﻦ و ﻣﺘﻮن‬
‫ﻣﺸﺎﺑﻪ در اﻳﻦ زﻣﻴﻨﻪ‪.‬‬

‫ﻫﺪف ﻫﺎي رﻓﺘﺎري‪:‬‬

‫ﭘﺲ از ﻓﺮاﮔﻴﺮي اﻳﻦ درس ﺑﺎﻳﺪ ﺑﺘﻮاﻧﻴﺪ‪:‬‬
‫‪ -1‬ﻣﻔﻬﻮم و ﻣﻌﻨﻲ ﻫﺮ ﻳﻚ از واژﮔﺎن ﻛﻠﻴﺪي زﻳﺮ را در ﺟﻤﻠﻪ ﺗﺸﺨﻴﺺ دﻫﻴﺪ‪:‬‬
‫‪Absence, improve, improvement, maintain, provide, productive,‬‬
‫‪recognize, describe, description, accept.‬‬
‫‪ -2‬ﻣﺘﻦ اﺻﻠﻲ را ﻣﻄﺎﻟﻌﻪ و درك ﻛﻨﻴﺪ و ﺑﻪ ﺳﻮاﻻت ﻣﺮﺑﻮط ﺑﻪ ﻣﺘﻦ ﭘﺎﺳﺦ دﻫﻴﺪ‪.‬‬
‫‪ -3‬ﺟﺎﻫﺎي ﺧﺎﻟﻲ ﻣﺘﻦ ﻛﺎﻣﻞ ﻛﺮدﻧﻲ)‪ (Cloze‬را ﺑﺎ اﺳﺘﻔﺎده از واژﮔﺎن داده ﺷﺪه ﺗﻜﻤﻴﻞ ﻛﻨﻴﺪ‪.‬‬
‫‪ -4‬واژﮔﺎن ﺗﺨﺼﺼﻲ‪ ،‬اﺻﻄﻼﺣﺎت و ﺟﻤﻠﻪ ﻫﺎي ﺳﺎده ﺗﺨﺼﺼﻲ ﻣﺮﺑﻮط ﺑﻪ درس را ﺑﻪ ﻓﺎرﺳﻲ‬
‫ﺗﺮﺟﻤﻪ ﻛﻨﻴﺪ‪.‬‬
‫‪ -5‬ﭘﺲ از ﻛﺴﺐ ﻣﻬﺎرت زﺑﺎﻧﻲ در ﻛﻼس و اﻧﺠﺎم ﺗﻤﺮﻳﻦ ﻫﺎي ﺑﺨﺶ واژﮔﺎن ﻛﻠﻴﺪي‪ ،‬ﻣﺘﻦ‬
‫اﺻﻠﻲ و ﻣﺘﻦ ﻛﺎﻣﻞ ﻛﺮدﻧﻲ ﺑﺘﻮاﻧﻴﺪ ﻣﺘﻦ اﺿﺎﻓﻲ را ﺑﻪ ﺗﻨﻬﺎﻳﻲ اﻧﺠﺎم دﻫﻴﺪ‪.‬‬
 What is Health ˆ 21

KEY WORDS: Before reading the TEXT, look through the

following key words, and then do the KEY WORDS REVIEW.
absence n. state of being away or not being present: I am
doing Ali's job in his absence.| In the absence of data about
past immunization in the city, health workers vaccinated all
children.

improve v.,
1. to make something (sth) better: This is a course for
students to improve their English.
2. become better: I hope the weather will improve later
on. | His health is improving day after day.

improvement noun of improve

There's certainly been an improvement in the children's
behavior.

maintain v, to make sth continue the same way or at

the same high standard as before: The improvement in
his health is being maintained. | The police maintain law and
order.
provide v. provide somebody with sth; provide sth (for
sb); to give sth to somebody(sb) or make sth
available for sb to use: This book will provide you with all
the information you need.| Health centers in the community
provide medical care for people who live in the area.

productive adj. useful( because results come from

it): a productive meeting(=having useful results)

recognize v.
1. know again sb or sth that you have seen or heard
before: I didn't recognize you without the glasses.
22 ˆ English for the Students of Public Health

2. know that sth is true: They recognize that there is a

health problem in their community.

describe v. to say what sb/sth is like, or what

happened: The thief was described as tall, thin, and aged
about twenty.| The health situation of the region is described
in this report.

description noun The police have issued a detailed

description of the missing women.

accept v.
1. to agree to take sth that sb offers you:
Why don't you accept my advice?
2. to say yes to sth or agree to sth: She has accepted the
job. | I accepted the invitation to the meeting.

KEY WORD REVIEW: Fill in the blanks in each of the

following sentences using the correct form of the words from the
list below. There are some more words than you will need. Some
of the words could be used more than once.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

absence accept describe description improve

improvement maintain productive recognize provide

1. Her health is gradually …………after the illness.

2. Our bodies …………food and warmth for many kinds of
microbes.
3. I ………… him but I couldn't remember his name.
4. In this report, The health officials have given a brief
………… of the health problems of the community.
5. Asthma is the most common medical cause of ………… from
school.
 What is Health ˆ 23

6. He studied harder to ………… his English.

7. We need to ………… the quality of our goods but not
increase the price.
8. Breast-feeding ………… immunization for infants
9. School children could become ………… members of the
family and community in improving public health.
10. This project is designed to ………… young people with
work
11. He took vitamins to ………… his health.
12. Each city needs to………… and identify its own
opportunities and problems.
13. He …………the accident that happened in the factory very
accurately.

READING

What is Health?
ealth is a term that refers to a

H combination of the absence of illness,

the ability to cope with everyday
activities, physical fitness, and high
analogous=
similar to
quality of life. In any organism, health another
can be said to be a "state of balance," or situation or
thing so that a
analogous to homeostasis, and it also implies good comparison can
prospects for continued survival. Wellness is a be made
term sometimes used to describe the
psychological state of being healthy, but is most imply=
often used in the field of alternative medicine to
‫)ﺑﻪ ﻃﻮر ﺿﻤﻨﻲ و‬

describe one's state of being. ‫ﺗﻠﻮﻳﺤﻲ(ﻣﻌﻨﻲ دادن‬

24 ˆ English for the Students of Public Health

The most widely accepted definition is that of the

World Health Organization (WHO). It states that
"health is a state of complete physical, mental and merely= only
social well-being and not merely the absence of
disease or infirmity" (WHO, 1946). In more recent infirmity=bad
years, this statement has been modified to include health or a
particular illness
the ability to lead a "socially and economically
productive life." The WHO definition is not
without criticism, as some argue that health
cannot be defined as a state at all, but must be
seen as a process of continuous adjustment to the
changing demands of living and of the changing
meanings we give to life. The WHO definition is
therefore considered by many as an idealistic goal
rather than a realistic proposition.

Health is maintained through the science of

medicine, but can also be improved by individual
effort. Physical fitness, weight loss, healthy
eating, stress management training and stopping
smoking and other substance abuse are examples
of steps to improve one's health. Workplace
programs are recognized by an increasingly large
number of companies for their value in improving
health and well-being of their employees, and
increasing morale, loyalty and productivity at work.
A company may provide a gym with exercise
equipment, start smoking cessation programs,
provide nutrition, weight or stress management
training. Other programs may include health risk
assessments and health screenings.
 What is Health ˆ 25

Comprehension Check
A. Answer the following questions.
1. What is WHO's definition of health?
2. How can we maintain our health and well-being?
3. What are the examples of improving one's health?
4. Why health should be considered as a continuous
adjustment
process rather than a state?
5. What would be the influence of workplace programs on
health?
6. When did WHO publish its definition on health?
7. Is WHO's definition of health an idealistic goal?
8. Give two examples of how a company can do to improve
the health and well-being of its employees.

B. TRUE OR FALSE: Put T for true and F for false statements.

1….. WHO's definition of health is accepted by many countries.
2….. Health, as mentioned in the passage, is absence of disease.
3….. WHO's definition of health has been criticized.
4….. Psychological state of being healthy is termed as 'wellness.'
5….. Programs to stop smoking are used to improve workers' well-
being.
6….. Wellness is usually used to describe the psychological state of
being healthy.
7….. Absence of disease or infirmity means health.
8….. Healthy eating, weight loss, and stopping smoking are
instances of improving one's health.
9…..From this passage, one can recognize that workplace plays a
major role in the improvement of employee's well-being.
10…..Health can be improved by individual effort.
11…. Based on WHO's definition, health is considered as a realistic
proposition.
26 ˆ English for the Students of Public Health

C. Choose the best choice to complete the sentences.

1. The term "health" is NOT connected with……
a. coping with everyday activity b. high quality of life
c. physical fitness of individuals d. illness of patients
2. Which of the following is TRUE about WHO's definition?
a. Health can be easily defined.
b. It is a complete definition.
c. It has been recently changed.
d. Is considered as a realistic proposition.
3. Which of the following is another appropriate title for the
passage?
a. Definition of Health b. WHO's Definition of Health
c. Health Maintenance d. Healthy Lifestyle

FURTHER READING
The meaning of health
Health means more than an absence of disease, as is
recognized in the WHO definition of health (Box
1). Health is only possible where resources are
available to meet human needs and where the living
and working environment is protected from life-
threatening and health-threatening pollutants,
pathogens, and physical hazards. But health also
includes a sense of well-being and security.
Deficient living and working environments are
associated with both physical and psychosocial alienation=
the feeling
health problems. Violence and alienation are of not
associated not only with poor job prospects but also being part
with overcrowded poor-quality housing, deficient of the
services, and inadequate provision for leisure, society or
a group
recreation, and children's play and development.
Growing understanding of this link had led to the
concept of a heath-promoting environment where
 What is Health ˆ 27

not only are health risks minimized but personal community

and community fulfillment, self-esteem, and fulfillment=
(‫)اﺣﺴﺎس‬
security are encouraged.
Box 1. WHO definition of health ‫ﺧﺮﺳﻨﺪي‬
"Health is state of complete physical, mental and ‫اﺟﺘﻤﺎﻋﻲ‬
social well-being and not merely the absence of
disease or infirmity."
Constitution of the World Health Organization

The complex relationship between health and

environment extends the responsibility of
promoting health to all groups of society. Health is
no longer than responsibility only of doctors,
nurses, midwives, and other health professionals
who seek to prevent or cure disease or of those who
seek to remove pathogens from the human
environment and reduce accidents. It is also the
responsibility of planners, architects, teachers,
employers, and all others who influence the
physical or social environment. It is the
responsibility of health professionals to work in all
groups of society in promoting health.
This understanding of health also means, above
all, that individuals, households, and communities
have substantial responsibility for their own health.
Personal and community responsibilities for health
are essential adjuncts to individual and community
rights. The right of individual to adequate shelter,
health care, and education (including health
education) must have as a counterpart their
commitment to promotion and protection of their
own and their neighbors' health and welfare.
Indeed, each adult has the duty as a citizen to
28 ˆ English for the Students of Public Health

ensure that heath risks within human environments

are minimized and government resources wisely
used. Citizens' rights and citizens' capacity to
organize and act become crucial in health.
Households and communities with the knowledge,
confidence, and capacity to improve their own
environment are likely to be healthier, not only
because of the physical improvements they can
make but also because of the important links
between mental health and self-esteem and capacity
for action.
A. Vocabulary Drills
I. Find single words in the text which match the following
definitions. Some examples are given.
1. very important: crucial
2. make something smaller or less: reduce
3. the activity of trying to make something develop or
become accepted by people:
4. not as much as you need, or not good enough:
5. people:
6. to make sure that sth happens or is definite:
7. the way in which two or more things are connected:
8. large in amount:
9. being prepared to give a lot of your time and attention to
sth because you believe it is right or important:

II. Find words in the text which have the same meaning as:
10. resources of the government: government resources
11. the rights of the people who live in a city or a country:
12. environments that help promote health:
13. pollutants that threaten the health of living things:
14. dangers to health:
 What is Health ˆ 29

15. physical dangers and risks :

16. health problems related to the mind:
17. an environment that people work in:
18. an agency of the United Nations, concerned with
improving the health of the world's people:

B. Comprehension Check
1. TRUE OR FALSE: Put T for true and F for false statements.
1…..Health is only possible where resources are available to
meet man's needs.
2……Violence as well as alienation is associated with poor job.
3……Health is not included a sense of well-being and security.
4……Violence is not associated with children's play and
development.
5……Health is the responsibility of only doctors, nurses, and
other
health professionals.
6…..Individuals, households, and communities have substantial
responsibility for their own health.
7…..Each adult has duty to make sure that government resources
are wisely used.
8……There is an important link between mental health and
capacity for action.

2. Answer the following questions:

1. When is health possible?

2. What is related to physical and psychosocial health

problems?
3. Except health professionals, what other professionals have
the responsibility of maintaining health?
30 ˆ English for the Students of Public Health

CLOZE PASSAGE
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate words from the list
below. Each word could be used more than once.
definition disease hospitals in terms of led
limits mentioned positive

People's Understanding of Health

Many people think they understand what
health is but find it hard to put it into
words and tend to say what it is not. The
inclined to=
WHO ……….. is a response to this likely to do
negative approach. We are inclined to
talk about ……….. health as a conceptual entity= ‫ﻣﺎﻫﻴﺖ‬
entity, but negative health is rarely
………... There are other words for
negative health, among them ………..,
euphemism=
sickness and illness, but we sometimes ‫ﺣﺴﻦ ﺗﻌﺒﻴﺮ‬
prefer to use euphemisms based on
"health". This has ……….. to bizarre uses bizarre= very
of the word. The institutions concerned strange
with "mental health" are ……….., and
statistics on the subject relate to the
prevalence of incidence of diseases.
"Dental health" is often measured ………..
decayed, missing, or filled teeth.
"Environmental health" deals mainly with
the placing of enforceable ……….. on
factors that can cause illness.
 What is Health ˆ 31

KEY WORD MATCHING

Match the words in the left column with their appropriate equivalents in the
right column. Put the answers in the answer box. There are more words than
you will need.
1. absence a. to make something(sth) continue the same way or at
2. describe the same high standard as before
3. accept b. completely necessary
4. productive c. to say what sb/sth is like, or what happened
5. maintain
d. to agree to take sth that sb offers you
6. improve
7. recognize
e. know again sb/sth you have send/heard
8. provide f. state of being away or not being present
g. to give sth to sb or make sth available for sb to use
h. useful
i. to make something sth better
Answer Box
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

VOCABULARY EXERCISE:
Find the key words in the sentences and fill in the boxes in the puzzle.

1
2
3
4
5
6

8
9

1. He …….d the gift from his father.

2. Monday, the weather will……..
3. The temperature in the room……..s at 35 degrees centigrade.
4. She had a plastic surgery, so that no one could …….. her.
 32 ˆ English for the Students of Public Health

5. The meeting was very ………...

6. There has been much…….. in the health field.
7. The man gives the police a detailed …….. of the burglar
8. This home's health book …the information about your health.
9. Iran's health situation was …..d in the Health report.

TRANSLATION ACTIVITY:
I. Translate the following words or terms into Persian.
1. illness: 7. hospitals: 13. infirmity:
2. health: 8. prevalence: 14. well-being:
3. environment: 9. incidence: 15. risk:
4. disease: 10. sickness: 16. pollutants:
5. homeostasis: 11. fitness:
6. hazards: 12. healthy:
II. Translate the following phrases into Persian.
1. quality of life: 17. health screening:
2. weight loss: 18. working environment:
3. health risks: 19. health risk assessments:
4. physical fitness: 20. health-threatening :
5. physical hazard: 21. health-threatening pollutants:
6. substance abuse: 22. physical health problems:
7. productive life: 23. psychological health problems:
8. citizen's rights: 24. health-promoting environment:
9. mental health: 25. World Health Organization:
10. physical well-being: 26. health professionals:
11. alternative medicine: 27. socially productive life:
12. healthy eating: 28. government resources:
13. stress management: 29. physical environment:
14. social well-being: 30. smoking cessation programs:
15. mental well-being: 31. economically productive life:
16. social environment: 32. environmental health:

III. Translate the following sentences into Persian.

1. WHO's definition of health is most widely accepted.
2. Health is maintained by the science of medicine.
3. Health can also be improved by individual effort.
4. Disease, sickness, and illness are other words for negative health.
5. Stopping smoking, stress management, and healthy eating will
improve one's health.
6. A healthy environment is without life-threatening and health-
threatening pollutants.

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