Public health campaigns play a crucial role in reducing disease outbreaks and promoting overall well-being in communities. This topic has been a recurring theme in IELTS Writing Task 2 exams, appearing frequently in recent years. Given its relevance to global health issues, it’s likely to continue being a popular subject for future exams. Let’s explore a sample question and analyze high-scoring essays to help you prepare for this important topic.
Some people think that public health campaigns have little effect on the population’s lifestyle and therefore a large budget should not be allocated to them. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Analyzing the Question
This question asks for your opinion on the effectiveness of public health campaigns and their budget allocation. It’s important to:
- Clearly state your position (agree, disagree, or partially agree)
- Provide reasons and examples to support your view
- Discuss both the effectiveness and budget aspects of public health campaigns
- Consider potential counterarguments
Let’s examine three sample essays of varying band scores to understand how to approach this question effectively.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8-9)
Public health campaigns are essential tools for promoting healthier lifestyles and preventing diseases. While some argue that these initiatives have minimal impact and should not receive substantial funding, I strongly disagree with this view. I believe that well-designed and adequately funded public health campaigns can significantly influence population behavior and yield long-term benefits for society.
Firstly, public health campaigns have a proven track record of success in various contexts. For instance, anti-smoking campaigns in many countries have led to a marked decrease in smoking rates over the past few decades. In Australia, comprehensive tobacco control measures, including graphic warning labels and public education programs, have resulted in smoking rates dropping from 35% in 1980 to less than 15% today. This dramatic shift demonstrates the potential of sustained public health efforts to change deeply ingrained habits.
Moreover, the cost-effectiveness of public health campaigns should not be underestimated. While these initiatives may require substantial initial investment, they often lead to significant savings in healthcare costs over time. For example, campaigns promoting regular exercise and healthy eating can help reduce the incidence of obesity and related chronic diseases, potentially saving billions in medical expenses. The World Health Organization estimates that for every dollar invested in public health interventions, up to $14 can be returned in economic benefits.
Critics may argue that some campaigns fail to achieve their goals, but this does not negate the overall value of public health initiatives. Rather, it highlights the need for evidence-based approaches and continuous evaluation to improve campaign effectiveness. Successful campaigns often employ a mix of strategies, including mass media, community engagement, and policy changes, to create a supportive environment for behavior change.
In conclusion, I firmly believe that public health campaigns are worthy of substantial budget allocation due to their potential to effect meaningful change in population health. While not all campaigns may succeed, the overall impact of well-executed public health initiatives justifies continued investment in this crucial area of public policy.
Essay Analysis (Band 8-9)
This essay demonstrates excellent coherence, cohesion, and a wide range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, typical of a high band score. Key strengths include:
- Clear position and consistent argument throughout
- Well-developed ideas with specific examples (e.g., Australian anti-smoking campaign)
- Logical paragraph structure with clear topic sentences and supporting details
- Effective use of linking words and phrases (e.g., “Firstly,” “Moreover,” “In conclusion”)
- Sophisticated vocabulary and sentence structures (e.g., “deeply ingrained habits,” “cost-effectiveness,” “evidence-based approaches”)
- Addresses both aspects of the question: effectiveness and budget allocation
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6-7)
Public health campaigns are important for improving people’s health, but some think they don’t work well and shouldn’t get a lot of money. I partly agree with this idea because while some campaigns are not very effective, others can make a big difference in people’s lives.
On one hand, some public health campaigns don’t seem to work very well. For example, many anti-drug campaigns in schools don’t stop teenagers from trying drugs. This is because young people often don’t listen to adults telling them what to do. Also, some health messages are too simple and don’t address the real reasons why people have unhealthy habits.
However, other public health campaigns have been very successful. One good example is the campaign to wear seatbelts in cars. This has saved many lives by making people change their behavior. Another success is vaccination campaigns, which have helped prevent many serious diseases. These examples show that when campaigns are done right, they can be very effective.
I think the government should keep funding public health campaigns, but they need to be smarter about how they do it. They should focus on campaigns that have been proven to work and use modern methods like social media to reach more people. They should also do more research to understand why some campaigns fail and others succeed.
In conclusion, while not all public health campaigns are effective, many of them are very important for improving public health. The government should continue to fund these campaigns but should be more careful about how they spend the money to get the best results.
The importance of public health initiatives cannot be overstated, as they play a crucial role in disease prevention and health promotion. While some campaigns may not achieve their intended goals, many have proven to be highly effective in changing behaviors and improving overall public health outcomes.
Essay Analysis (Band 6-7)
This essay demonstrates a good understanding of the topic and presents a clear position. It falls within the Band 6-7 range due to:
- Clear structure with introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion
- Presents both sides of the argument with examples
- Uses some linking words, though not as sophisticated as the Band 8-9 essay
- Vocabulary is appropriate but less varied and precise compared to higher band scores
- Grammatical structures are generally accurate but less complex
- Ideas are developed, but examples could be more specific and detailed
Sample Essay 3 (Band 5-6)
Public health campaigns are important for health. Some people think they don’t work and shouldn’t get money. I think this is not right because health campaigns can help people.
First, health campaigns can teach people about health. For example, they can tell people to eat healthy food and exercise. This is good because many people don’t know how to be healthy. If they learn, they can change their habits.
Second, campaigns can stop diseases. Like when there is a new virus, the government can tell people how to stay safe. This helps everyone and stops the disease from spreading. It’s important to spend money on this because it saves lives.
But sometimes campaigns don’t work well. Maybe people don’t listen or forget the message. This is a problem, but it doesn’t mean we should stop all campaigns. We should try to make them better.
In conclusion, I think public health campaigns are good and need money. They help people be healthy and stop diseases. The government should keep doing them but try to make them work better.
Essay Analysis (Band 5-6)
This essay demonstrates a basic understanding of the topic but lacks the depth and sophistication of higher band scores. Key characteristics include:
- Simple structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion
- Position is stated, but the argument is not fully developed
- Limited use of linking words and simple sentence structures
- Basic vocabulary with some repetition
- Examples are general and lack specific details
- Grammar is mostly accurate but simple
Key Vocabulary for IELTS Writing Task 2 on Public Health Campaigns
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Public health initiative (noun): A program or policy designed to improve the health of a population.
Pronunciation: /ˈpʌblɪk helθ ɪˈnɪʃətɪv/ -
Effectiveness (noun): The degree to which something is successful in producing a desired result.
Pronunciation: /ɪˈfektɪvnəs/ -
Budget allocation (noun phrase): The process of distributing financial resources to different departments or projects.
Pronunciation: /ˈbʌdʒɪt ˌæləˈkeɪʃən/ -
Disease prevention (noun phrase): Actions taken to stop diseases from occurring or spreading.
Pronunciation: /dɪˈziːz prɪˈvenʃən/ -
Behavioral change (noun phrase): The transformation or modification of human behavior.
Pronunciation: /bɪˈheɪvjərəl tʃeɪndʒ/ -
Cost-effective (adjective): Providing good value for the amount of money spent.
Pronunciation: /kɒst ɪˈfektɪv/ -
Health awareness (noun phrase): The state of being conscious about health-related issues.
Pronunciation: /helθ əˈweənəs/ -
Long-term impact (noun phrase): The effects or consequences that last for an extended period.
Pronunciation: /lɒŋ tɜːm ˈɪmpækt/
These vocabulary words can help you express your ideas more precisely and effectively in your IELTS Writing Task 2 essay on public health campaigns.
Conclusion
Public health campaigns and their role in reducing disease outbreaks remain a relevant and important topic for IELTS Writing Task 2. To prepare for this theme, practice writing essays on related topics such as:
- The role of individual responsibility versus government intervention in public health
- The effectiveness of digital health campaigns compared to traditional methods
- The influence of media coverage on public health awareness
- Balancing privacy concerns with public health needs during disease outbreaks
Remember to structure your essay clearly, use a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures, and provide specific examples to support your arguments. By analyzing sample essays and understanding the criteria for different band scores, you can improve your writing skills and aim for a higher score in your IELTS exam.
We encourage you to practice writing an essay on the sample question provided in this article. Share your essay in the comments section below for feedback and discussion with other learners. This active practice will help you refine your skills and gain confidence in tackling IELTS Writing Task 2 questions on public health campaigns and related topics.