IELTS Writing Task 2 Health Topic Ideas and Vocabulary

In today's era, awareness of health of each individual is raised, especially after experiencing the Covid-19 pandemic. Health - Health is also a hot topic and often appears frequently in the IELTS Writing test. So how to answer all the questions and give quality arguments in your essay?

The article below will suggest ideas, vocabulary as well as sample essays to help you score high in the IELTS Writing Task 2 - Health topic!

Health is a versatile and often challenging topic in IELTS Writing Task 2. Prompts may cover various angles, including governmental responsibilities in public health, lifestyle-related illnesses, technology and food innovation, and stress-related health effects. Effective preparation requires deep thinking across multiple sub‑topics such as:

• Frequency of medical check‑ups

• Activities that promote good health

• Ways to encourage a healthy lifestyle

• Effects of technology on health

• Impact of stress on wellbeing

• Health insurance development and implementation

Sample Writing Task 2 health questions:

• Scientists say some activities are good for health and others are harmful. Despite knowing this, many continue unhealthy lifestyles. What causes this and what are the solutions?

• More people now choose healthy food and regular exercise. What drives this trend and how can more people be encouraged?

• Is it more important to spend public funds on disease prevention and healthy lifestyle promotion than on treating the sick? To what extent do you agree or disagree?

• Should scientific research focus on world health problems or other areas? Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Below are structured arguments that can help you build strong Task 2 responses:

Improving Public Health

Agree:

• Enhancing sports infrastructure and public access to fitness venues promotes physical activity.

• Free community exercise areas can inspire sedentary individuals and youth.

• Health education, higher service quality, and strict food safety standards are essential.

Disagree:

• Busy work schedules and high stress prevent regular exercise, rendering added facilities underused.

• Investing in fitness venues without additional guidance may have limited impact.

Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle

• Government should invest in public sports facilities in parks.

• Raise taxes on junk food to discourage unhealthy eating.

• Make hospital services more affordable and efficient for all income levels.

• Reduce working hours or heavy academic loads to give families time for meal preparation and exercise.

Technology’s Impact on Health

Benefits:

• Advanced medical research yields new drugs and cures.

• Minimally invasive surgeries allow faster recovery.

• Monitoring technologies extend life expectancy.

Drawbacks:

• Overuse of gadgets disrupts sleep and promotes a sedentary lifestyle.

• Excessive screen time impairs physical movement and mental health.

Ensuring Healthy Diets

Individual responsibilities:

• People should understand nutrition to make informed dietary decisions.

• Self-awareness encourages exercise, weight control, and budget‑wise choices for healthy options.

Government responsibilities:

• Public health policies should ensure access to safe, nutritious food for all.

• Regulations and educational campaigns to promote food safety and prevent undernutrition are necessary.

Prompt: In many countries, children are becoming overweight and unhealthy. Some say governments should solve this problem. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Essay type: Argumentative – choose a clear stance and support it.

Outline:

• Introduction: Paraphrase the issue. Express partial agreement or disagreement briefly.

• Body 1: Government responsibilities—public health campaigns, school programs, and urban planning to encourage activity.

• Body 2: Family and school roles—parents and teachers should model healthy behaviour and build early habits.

• Conclusion: Emphasise that solving childhood obesity requires joint effort between institutions and families.

Advanced terms with examples:

Helpful collocations:

• To contract a disease

• To promote a healthy lifestyle

• Cause a heavy burden on a nation’s healthcare system

• Build up resistance to illness

• Alleviate pain or symptoms

• Be aware of health risks

• Comply with medical regulations

Prompt: Should individuals who cause their own illnesses through poor lifestyle choices pay more for healthcare? To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Sample Essay: The rise of lifestyle-related illnesses has prompted debate about personal responsibility in healthcare costs. Some argue that individuals who develop illnesses through unhealthy habits should pay more. I disagree with this viewpoint.

Current fast-paced lifestyles force many into sedentary routines. Office workers and multitasking parents, especially working mothers, often sacrifice leisure and exercise due to heavy responsibilities. Penalising them with higher healthcare costs is unfair given their constrained choices.

Processed food also plays a major role. Artificial additives increase profitability but lower nutritional value, leading to long-term health issues. Even informed consumers inadvertently consume harmful substances over time, regardless of diet efforts. Organic food alternatives remain costly and inaccessible to many.

Therefore, I believe it is unjust to financially penalise individuals for health issues often shaped by socioeconomic factors and limited choices.

Confidently Excel on Health Topic Essays

Use these ideas, vocabulary, and structures to craft high-scoring essays on Health in IELTS Writing Task 2. Practice regularly and explore diverse topics for stronger writing.

To reinforce your preparation, access free resources from IDP, including expert articles, videos, and the IELTS by IDP app for flexible study.

You can also register for mock tests at IDP test centres or attend IELTS seminars and workshops led by specialists to review model essays and avoid common writing mistakes.

Ready to succeed? Register for IELTS with IDP today!