WHO: World Must Prepare for Aging Population
Vocabulary
Direction: Read each word and let the student repeat it.
burden
[bɜːdn] (noun)
– a duty, responsibility, etc. that causes worry, difficulty or hard work
ex.The burden of his failure seems to affect him heavily.
burden
[bɜːdn] (noun)
– a duty, responsibility, etc. that causes worry, difficulty or hard work
ex.The burden of his failure seems to affect him heavily.
affluent
[æfluənt] (adjective)
– having a lot of money and a good standard of living
ex.He is one of the most affluent people in our city.
[æfluənt] (adjective)
– having a lot of money and a good standard of living
ex.He is one of the most affluent people in our city.
cardiovascular
[kɑːdiəʊˈvæskjələ(r)] (adjective)
– connected with the heart and the blood vessels
ex.Heavy smokers are more prone to cardiovascular diseases.
[kɑːdiəʊˈvæskjələ(r)] (adjective)
– connected with the heart and the blood vessels
ex.Heavy smokers are more prone to cardiovascular diseases.
dependency
[dɪˈpendənsi] (noun)
– the state of relying on somebody/something for something, especially when this is not normal or necessary
ex.The aim is to reduce her dependency on her parents finances.
[dɪˈpendənsi] (noun)
– the state of relying on somebody/something for something, especially when this is not normal or necessary
ex.The aim is to reduce her dependency on her parents finances.
prevent
[prɪˈvent] (verb)
– to stop somebody from doing something; to stop something from happening
ex.We can prevent landslides by not cutting down forests.
[prɪˈvent] (verb)
– to stop somebody from doing something; to stop something from happening
ex.We can prevent landslides by not cutting down forests.
Article
Direction: Read each paragraph and let the student repeat it.
WHO: World Must Prepare for Aging Population
The World Health Organization (WHO) says governments must prepare now to deal with an increasingly aging world. Otherwise, it warns the growing burden of chronic disease will seriously affect the quality of life of older people and create economic and other hardships for national health systems.
[…]Everywhere in the world people are living longer. But as people age, they are saddled with chronic illnesses and diminished well being that affects their quality of life and creates a burden on society.The latest statistics show by 2050, an estimated two billion people will be aged 60 and older, more than double the 841 million today.The World Health Organization notes 80 percent of these older people will be living in low and middle-income countries, not in wealthy countries.It says the increase in longevity in affluent countries is largely due to the decline in deaths from cardiovascular disease resulting from simple, cost-effective strategies to reduce tobacco use and high blood pressure.WHO Senior Policy and Strategy Adviser in the Department of Aging and Life Course, Islene Araujo, says life expectancy in Africa now is 60 years. She says cardiovascular diseases, that is stroke and infarctus, are responsible for killing most older people.She says stroke survivors often become disabled, burdening society.“Cardiovascular disease can be prevented with one simple action, for example control of hypertension. Most of the people in this region in Africa – 10 percent may have a diagnosis of hypertension, like for example South Africa, and 80 percent do not get treatment for hypertension. So, one single intervention like treatment for hypertension can save many lives. It can also avoid disability,” said Araujo.Besides heart disease and stroke, other major illnesses of aging include cancers, chronic lung disease, sensory disorders, vision problems, mental and neurological disorders. Authors of the WHO reports say dementia and Alzheimer’s are the biggest cause of dependency in richer countries. Although people are living longer, evidence shows they are not necessarily healthier than before.
[…]The report’s authors suggest changing policies to encourage older adults to remain part of the workforce beyond retirement age. They also agree with the WHO’s call for universal health care to prevent older people from slipping into poverty to pay for health services.They also say people of all ages should not smoke, do more physical activity, moderate alcohol consumption and practice good nutrition, which will pay good health dividends later in life.
Questions
Direction: Ask the students the questions, and give the answers.
- 1What will the effects of the growing burden of chronic disease be?
- 2What are the downsides of longer life expectancy?
- 3How many people in the world are aged 60 or older today?
- 4What is the increase in longevity in affluent countries due to?
- 5What should people of all ages do to have a healthier and longer life?
“The quality of life of older people” will be affected, as well as “economic and other hardships for national health systems” will be created.
“They are saddled with chronic illnesses and diminished well being that affects their quality of life and creates a burden on society.”
841 million
It is “due to the decline in deaths from cardiovascular disease resulting from simple, cost-effective strategies to reduce tobacco use and high blood pressure.”
“They also say people of all ages should not smoke, do more physical activity, moderate alcohol consumption and practice good nutrition, which will pay good health dividends later in life.”
Discussion
Direction: Discuss the topics.
- 1Do you lead a healthy lifestyle?
- 2Is the aging population a problem in your country?
- 3Would you like to be immortal? Why or why not?
Follow-up question1: What do you do in order to keep yourself healthy?
Follow-up question2: Why is it important to visit the doctor’s office on a regular basis?
Follow-up question3: Do you think that drinking one glass of wine every day is good for you? Why or why not?
Follow-up question2: Why is it important to visit the doctor’s office on a regular basis?
Follow-up question3: Do you think that drinking one glass of wine every day is good for you? Why or why not?
Follow-up question1: What are the problems associated with an aging population?
Follow-up question2: What is the government doing in order to solve this problem?
Follow-up question3: Are you afraid of growing old? Why or why not?
Follow-up question2: What is the government doing in order to solve this problem?
Follow-up question3: Are you afraid of growing old? Why or why not?
Follow-up question1: How do you think the world will look like in 2050?
Follow-up question2: If you had God-like powers for one day, what world problem would you solve?
Follow-up question3: What is your biggest wish?
Follow-up question2: If you had God-like powers for one day, what world problem would you solve?
Follow-up question3: What is your biggest wish?
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