Public Health Vocabulary

noun the presence in or introduction into the air of a substance which has harmful or poisonous effects

• Air pollution is a pressing environmental issue that requires immediate attention from policymakers.
• The air pollution in this city is so bad, I can hardly breathe outside.
• Dude, the air pollution here is off the charts, we need to get out of this place.
• The toxic relationships in her life were like the air pollution, suffocating and hard to escape.

noun a medicine that inhibits the growth of or destroys microorganisms

• The doctor prescribed an antibiotic to treat the bacterial infection.
• I have to take antibiotics for my ear infection.
• I need to pop some antibiotics to get rid of this cold.
• Trust is like an antibiotic for a healthy relationship, it helps fight off doubts and insecurities.

noun a document issued by a medical professional certifying the health status of an individual

• The doctor issued a bill of health stating the patient was in good condition.
• The doctor gave me a clean bill of health after my check-up.
• I got the thumbs up on my bill of health from the doc.
• The company's financial statements provided a bill of health for its operations.

noun a medical condition that affects the heart and blood vessels

• Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death worldwide.
• My doctor told me to watch my diet to prevent cardiovascular disease.
• Eating healthy and exercising can help keep cardiovascular disease at bay.
• Neglecting your heart health is like playing with fire when it comes to cardiovascular disease.

noun an infectious and often fatal bacterial disease of the small intestine, typically contracted from infected water supplies

adjective related to or characteristic of cholera

• Cholera is a highly infectious bacterial disease that causes severe diarrhea and dehydration.
• I heard there was a cholera outbreak in the neighboring town.
• Stay away from that area, cholera is going around.
• The spread of misinformation can be like a cholera outbreak, causing harm and confusion.

adjective able to be communicated or transmitted from one person to another

• The health department is monitoring the spread of communicable diseases in the community.
• It's important to wash your hands regularly to prevent communicable illnesses from spreading.
• I heard that flu is going around, better watch out for communicable germs!
• Gossip can be like a communicable disease, spreading quickly and causing harm.

noun A public official who investigates by inquest any death not due to natural causes.

• The coroner conducted an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
• The coroner is investigating the case.
• The coroner is checking out the scene.
• The coroner of truth will reveal the hidden secrets.

verb to reduce in extent or quantity; to cut short

• The company curtailed its spending in order to improve profitability.
• I had to curtail my shopping spree because I ran out of money.
• My parents curtailed my freedom by grounding me for a week.
• Her dreams of becoming a professional dancer were curtailed by a knee injury.

noun a disease caused by a lack of essential nutrients in the diet

• Deficiency diseases are caused by a lack of essential nutrients in the diet.
• If you don't eat enough fruits and vegetables, you could develop a deficiency disease.
• Skipping meals can lead to deficiency diseases, so make sure to eat regularly.
• Neglecting self-care is like inviting deficiency diseases to take over your body.

noun the regulation of the diet for the promotion of health

• The study of dietetics involves understanding the science behind nutrition and its effects on the human body.
• She decided to pursue a career in dietetics after seeing the positive impact of healthy eating on her own health.
• I'm trying to stick to this new dietetics plan, but I keep craving junk food.
• In a way, dietetics is like a roadmap for maintaining good health through proper nutrition.

noun a chemical substance used to kill harmful bacteria or viruses on surfaces

adjective describing the quality or characteristic of being able to disinfect

• The hospital uses a strong disinfectant to clean all surfaces and prevent the spread of infections.
• Make sure to use disinfectant wipes to clean your phone regularly.
• I sprayed some disinfectant on that gross table before we sat down.
• She used kindness as a disinfectant to cleanse the negativity from the room.

noun a person who uses drugs, especially illegally or excessively

• The police are cracking down on drug users in the city.
• I heard that John's cousin is a drug user.
• Stay away from that guy, he's a heavy drug user.
• Being addicted to social media can turn someone into a digital drug user.

noun the surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates

• It is important to consider the impact of industrial activities on the environment.
• We should think about how our actions affect the environment.
• Dude, don't mess with the environment, it's not cool.
• The environment is like a delicate ecosystem that needs to be protected.

verb to completely destroy or eliminate something

• Efforts to eradicate poverty have been ongoing for decades.
• We need to completely eradicate those annoying bugs from the house.
• Let's get rid of those pests once and for all.
• She was determined to eradicate all negativity from her life.

noun an abnormally high body temperature, usually accompanied by shivering, headache, and in severe instances, delirium

• The patient was diagnosed with a high fever and was immediately admitted to the hospital.
• I think I caught a fever from being out in the rain last night.
• I'm feeling so hot and feverish right now, I must be coming down with something.
• The excitement of the concert gave me a fever of anticipation.

noun waste material or unwanted or useless items

adjective describing something as being of poor quality or worthless

• The municipal government is responsible for collecting and disposing of garbage in the city.
• Don't forget to take out the garbage before it starts to smell.
• That movie was total garbage, I want my money back.
• His excuses were just a pile of garbage, he needs to take responsibility for his actions.

noun a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae

• Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
• I heard that Sarah got gonorrhea from her ex-boyfriend.
• Don't be stupid, always use protection to avoid catching gonorrhea.
• The spread of misinformation is like a contagious disease, similar to how gonorrhea spreads through unprotected sex.

adjective causing or capable of causing harm; injurious

• Exposure to harmful chemicals can have serious health consequences.
• Eating too much junk food is harmful to your body.
• Gossiping about others can be really harmful in the long run.
• Holding onto grudges is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to be harmed.

verb to contaminate with a disease-causing organism

adjective having been contaminated with a disease-causing organism

• The virus has infected a large portion of the population.
• I heard that a lot of people got infected at the party.
• Dude, you don't want to hang out with him, he's infected with drama.
• His negative attitude infected the entire team.

verb to cross a street without using a designated crosswalk or intersection, typically illegally

• Jaywalking is illegal and can result in a fine.
• I saw a lot of people jaywalk on my way to work today.
• Don't be a jaywalker, you could get hit by a car!
• Sometimes it feels like we are jaywalking through life without a clear direction.

noun a person, typically a woman, who is trained to assist women in childbirth

• The midwife provided prenatal care to the expectant mother.
• My friend's sister is training to become a midwife.
• I heard that midwife really knows her stuff when it comes to delivering babies.
• In a way, the project manager acted as a midwife, guiding the team through the completion of the project.

verb mitigating is a verb form of the word mitigate, which means to make less severe, serious, or painful

• The company implemented various mitigating measures to reduce the impact of the economic downturn.
• We're trying to come up with some mitigating strategies for the upcoming project.
• Let's figure out some ways to mitigate the damage before it gets worse.
• She saw his smile as a mitigating factor in her otherwise stressful day.

noun the condition of being diseased or unhealthy

• The study focused on the relationship between obesity and morbidity rates.
• The doctor explained that morbidity refers to the prevalence of illnesses in a population.
• Dude, the morbidity of that virus is off the charts!
• The morbidity of her negative attitude was spreading throughout the office.

noun the state of being subject to death; the number of deaths in a particular population

• The mortality rate in the region has been steadily decreasing over the years.
• They were discussing the mortality of certain plant species in their garden.
• I never realized the impact of mortality until I lost my pet.
• The artist's painting depicted the concept of mortality in a thought-provoking way.

noun A word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea. In this case, 'occupational disease' is a noun because it refers to a health condition that is caused or exacerbated by exposure to certain factors in the workplace.

• Occupational diseases are health conditions that are caused by exposure to certain hazards in the workplace.
• Some jobs can lead to occupational diseases if proper safety measures are not followed.
• Working in that environment is a surefire way to catch an occupational disease.
• Neglecting self-care can be an occupational disease of the mind.

noun a sudden occurrence of something unwelcome, such as a disease or conflict

• The health department is closely monitoring the outbreak of a new virus in the community.
• Did you hear about the outbreak of flu going around at school?
• The outbreak of drama on social media is getting out of hand.
• The outbreak of laughter during the comedy show was contagious.

noun a destructive insect or other animal that attacks crops, food, livestock, etc.

adjective annoying or harmful

• The farmers are using pesticides to control the pest population in their fields.
• I saw a pest in the kitchen and had to call the exterminator.
• That guy is such a pest, always bothering everyone.
• Negative thoughts can be like pests, constantly buzzing around and bothering us.

noun the general public; the population

• The government implemented new policies to address the concerns of the populace.
• The local populace is not happy with the recent changes in the neighborhood.
• The young populace is totally obsessed with that new TV show.
• The artist's work spoke to the inner turmoil of the human populace.

noun the fact or condition of being prevalent; widespread existence or occurrence

adjective prevalent

• The prevalence of diabetes has been steadily increasing in the population.
• Have you noticed the prevalence of fast food restaurants in this area?
• The prevalence of selfies on social media is out of control.
• The prevalence of fake news makes it difficult to discern the truth.

noun a medicine or treatment designed to prevent disease

adjective intended to prevent disease

• The doctor prescribed a prophylactic medication to prevent infection after the surgery.
• I always make sure to take a prophylactic before traveling to prevent getting sick.
• I heard she's on the pill as a prophylactic measure.
• Wearing a helmet is a prophylactic against head injuries while biking.

noun a person who engages in sexual activity for payment

verb None

adjective None

adverb None

pronoun None

preposition None

conjunction None

interjection None

article None

• The police arrested a suspected prostitute for soliciting clients on the street.
• I heard that there's a prostitute working at the motel down the street.
• She's been known to hustle as a prostitute to make ends meet.
• He felt like a prostitute selling his art to corporate clients just for the money.

verb to take hold of suddenly and forcibly; grasp

• The police were able to seize the stolen goods during the raid.
• I'm going to seize the opportunity to ask her out on a date.
• Let's seize the day and go on a road trip!
• Don't let fear seize control of your life.

noun a type of infectious disease characterized by a fever and rash, often transmitted by ticks

• The doctor diagnosed the patient with spotted fever after observing the characteristic rash.
• I heard that Sarah was out sick with spotted fever, poor thing.
• I can't come to the party tonight, I'm feeling all feverish and spotted.
• The sudden surge in COVID-19 cases was like a spotted fever spreading through the community.

adjective relating to or constituting a symptom or symptoms of a particular disease or condition

• The patient's cough is symptomatic of an underlying respiratory infection.
• Her fatigue is symptomatic of staying up too late last night.
• Dude, your sneezing is totally symptomatic of allergies.
• The cracks in the foundation were symptomatic of deeper structural issues.

noun a mark, object, or other indication of the existence or passing of something

verb to find or discover by investigation

• The forensic team conducted extensive tracing of the suspect's movements at the crime scene.
• I'm tracing back our steps to see where we might have lost the keys.
• I'm tracing the IP address to find out who's been hacking into our system.
• She traced the origins of the ancient artifact to a small village in Greece.

noun a person who is considered to be below a healthy weight

adjective having a weight lower than what is considered normal or healthy

• The doctor diagnosed the patient as underweight and recommended a nutritionist.
• My friend is so underweight, she needs to eat more burgers.
• She's looking a bit underweight, maybe she should hit the gym more.
• The team's defense was underweight without their star player.

adjective describing something that is not conducive to good health

• The doctor advised against consuming unhealthful processed foods high in sugar and fat.
• Eating too much unhealthful junk food can lead to weight gain and other health problems.
• I always feel gross after eating unhealthful fast food for lunch.
• Her unhealthful lifestyle choices were like a ticking time bomb for her overall well-being.

adjective describing something as unclean or not hygienic

• The restaurant was shut down due to unsanitary conditions in the kitchen.
• I wouldn't eat at that place, it's pretty unsanitary.
• That bathroom is so gross, it's totally unsanitary.
• His mind was like an unsanitary dump, filled with toxic thoughts.

noun an abbreviation for venereal disease, a sexually transmitted infection

adjective used to describe something related to venereal disease

• VD stands for Venereal Disease, which is a sexually transmitted infection.
• I heard she got VD from her ex-boyfriend.
• Don't sleep around or you might end up with VD.
• His reckless behavior is like VD, spreading harm to those around him.

noun the action of making someone a victim of crime or abuse

adjective relating to the act of victimizing someone

• Victimization of vulnerable groups is a serious issue that needs to be addressed by policymakers.
• The victimization of innocent people is just not fair.
• Stop with the victimization, it's getting old.
• Her constant self-victimization is preventing her from moving forward in life.

noun the act or process of ejecting the contents of the stomach through the mouth

verb to eject the contents of the stomach through the mouth

• The patient experienced nausea and began to vomit after ingesting the medication.
• I felt so sick that I ended up vomiting in the bathroom.
• I had way too much to drink last night and ended up vomiting everywhere.
• The graphic scene in the movie was so intense, it made me want to vomit.

noun a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes, causing fever and jaundice and often fatal

• Yellow fever is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes in tropical regions.
• I heard that yellow fever is a serious disease spread by mosquitoes.
• Some people think yellow fever is just a bad flu, but it's much more dangerous.
• His obsession with vintage cars is like a case of yellow fever, he can't get enough of them.

noun the frequency of a pathogen in a population, as measured by serological tests

• The study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of the virus in the population.
• They're trying to figure out how many people have antibodies to the virus.
• They're checking to see how many folks have already had the bug.
• The seroprevalence data painted a picture of the virus's impact on the community.

noun a parasite that lives on the outside of its host

• An ectoparasite is an organism that lives on the outside of its host, such as a tick or louse.
• My dog got infested with ectoparasites after playing in the woods.
• I hate those creepy crawlies that act as ectoparasites on animals.
• Negative thoughts can be like ectoparasites, feeding on your happiness.

noun a person who is skeptical or doubtful about the existence or severity of the coronavirus pandemic

• The coronasceptic refused to wear a mask despite the government's mandate.
• I can't believe he's still a coronasceptic, even after all this time.
• She's such a coronasceptic, always downplaying the seriousness of the virus.
• His coronasceptic attitude is like burying his head in the sand and ignoring the reality of the situation.

noun the capacity of a microorganism to cause infection

adjective describing the ability of a microorganism to infect

• The infectivity of the virus is a major concern for public health officials.
• The infectivity of this flu strain is no joke, so make sure to wash your hands frequently.
• Dude, the infectivity of this thing is off the charts. Stay safe out there.
• His negativity has an infectivity that can bring down the whole team if we're not careful.

adjective describing the branch of medicine that deals with the incidence, distribution, and control of diseases in a population

• The epidemiological study focused on tracking the spread of the disease within the population.
• The researchers are looking at the epidemiological data to see how the virus is spreading.
• I heard there's some new epidemiological research coming out about the outbreak.
• The epidemiological approach to analyzing social trends can provide valuable insights.

noun a word used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun

• The patient's symptoms may be exacerbated by an underlying condition.
• The reason you keep feeling sick might be because of an underlying condition.
• Dude, your constant fatigue could be due to some underlying condition.
• Just like a hidden iceberg, an underlying condition can cause serious health issues if left untreated.

noun a blend of the words 'quarantine' and 'teen', referring to teenagers who are in quarantine

• The quaranteen program was implemented to ensure the safety of all students during the pandemic.
• Hey, have you heard about the quaranteen rules at school?
• I can't wait to hang out with my friends after this quaranteen is over!
• She felt like she was in a quaranteen, isolated from the rest of the world.

noun a powerful and highly addictive stimulant drug that affects the central nervous system

adjective relating to or characteristic of methamphetamine

• The use of methamphetamine can have serious long-term effects on the brain and body.
• I heard that methamphetamine is a really dangerous drug that can mess you up.
• I can't believe he's still using meth, that stuff is no joke.
• His addiction to methamphetamine was like a dark cloud hanging over his life.

noun SARS-CoV-2

• The rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 has led to a global pandemic.
• Have you heard about the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 going around?
• I heard that SARS-CoV-2 is no joke, so make sure to stay safe!
• The impact of SARS-CoV-2 on our daily lives is like nothing we've ever experienced before.

noun A state of isolation or restricted access instituted as a security measure.

• The government has implemented a strict lockdown to curb the spread of the virus.
• We can't go out because of the lockdown.
• I'm so over this lockdown, I need to get out and do something.
• Her heart felt like it was in lockdown, unable to open up to anyone.

noun a shortened form of novel coronavirus, referring to a type of virus

• The rapid spread of nCoV has raised concerns among public health officials.
• Have you heard about the latest cases of nCoV in our city?
• I'm so over this whole nCoV situation, it's ruining everything.
• The fear of nCoV is spreading faster than the virus itself.

noun the act of attributing fault or responsibility to a person who has been harmed or wronged

• Victim blaming is a harmful societal behavior that shifts responsibility from the perpetrator to the person who has been harmed.
• Stop victim blaming and start holding the real culprits accountable for their actions.
• Don't be a victim blamer, it's not cool to blame someone who has already suffered.
• In a world where victim blaming runs rampant, it's important to stand up for those who have been wronged.

noun A parasitic blood fluke belonging to the genus Schistosoma, specifically Schistosoma haematobium.

• Schistosoma haematobium is a parasitic flatworm that causes urinary schistosomiasis in humans.
• Did you know that Schistosoma haematobium is a type of parasite that can infect the urinary tract?
• Yo, watch out for that Schistosoma haematobium parasite, it's no joke.
• The presence of Schistosoma haematobium in the community is like a hidden danger waiting to strike.

noun a person identified as the first to become infected with a disease in an outbreak

• The epidemiologists were trying to trace back to patient zero to understand how the virus spread.
• They're saying patient zero was actually someone who attended the concert last week.
• I heard patient zero was patient X's roommate who never washes his hands.
• In the world of fashion, patient zero is often considered the trendsetter who influences others to follow suit.

noun a place or region experiencing a shortage of water

adjective describing a situation or place where there is a shortage of water

• Many regions around the world are facing the challenge of water scarcity.
• Some places don't have enough water to go around.
• Water scarcity is a real problem in some areas, they're totally parched.
• In the desert of water-scarcity, every drop is precious.

noun a person or thing that cannot transmit something

adjective describing something that cannot be transmitted or passed on

• The information is untransmittable due to encryption.
• I can't send you the file, it's untransmittable.
• That message is like totally untransmittable, dude.
• Her emotions were untransmittable, hidden behind a stoic facade.

adjective relating to or involving bacteriology, the branch of biology dealing with bacteria

• The laboratory conducted bacteriological tests to determine the presence of harmful bacteria in the water sample.
• The doctor recommended a bacteriological examination to rule out any infections.
• I heard they found some nasty stuff during the bacteriological analysis of the food samples.
• His words had a bacteriological effect on her mind, spreading doubt and insecurity.

noun a drink that typically contains caffeine, vitamins, and other ingredients that are intended to provide a burst of energy

• The athlete consumed an energy drink before the race to boost their performance.
• I always grab an energy drink when I need a quick pick-me-up.
• I chugged that energy drink before the party to stay awake all night.
• She was like an energy drink, full of enthusiasm and motivation.

adjective an adjective describes a noun or pronoun, in this case, 'unvaccinatable' describes something that cannot be vaccinated

• Due to a rare medical condition, some individuals may be considered unvaccinatable.
• I heard that Sarah is unvaccinatable because of her allergies.
• Dude, did you know that guy is totally unvaccinatable?
• The stubborn old man seemed unvaccinatable when it came to changing his ways.

noun a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes that causes severe joint and muscle pain

• The medical team is closely monitoring the patient's condition as he battles bonebreak fever.
• I heard that Sarah's cousin was hospitalized with bonebreak fever.
• I feel like I've been hit with a truck, must be bonebreak fever or something.
• The intense pressure of the project deadline felt like a case of bonebreak fever.

noun A term used to refer to the healthcare plan proposed by the Trump administration

• The proposed changes to healthcare policy are often referred to as Trumpcare.
• Have you heard about the latest updates on Trumpcare?
• I can't believe they're still pushing for that Trumpcare nonsense.
• The idea of Trumpcare has been a hot topic of debate in recent times.

noun a type of virus that is primarily transmitted through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito and can cause symptoms such as fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes

• The Zika virus is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause birth defects in newborns.
• I heard that the Zika virus is spreading rapidly in certain regions.
• Dude, you better watch out for that Zika virus when you travel to tropical areas.
• The Zika virus spread through the community like wildfire, causing widespread panic.

noun a method of very short-range weather forecasting based on the observation and interpretation of current weather conditions

• Nowcasting is a method used in meteorology to provide real-time weather forecasts.
• I rely on nowcasting to check the weather before heading out.
• I'm nowcasting to see if it's going to rain before I go for a run.
• In the fast-paced world of finance, nowcasting is essential to make quick decisions based on current data.

noun a fungal infection of the foot, typically contracted in tropical climates

• Hong Kong foot, also known as athlete's foot, is a common fungal infection that affects the skin on the feet.
• I heard that Hong Kong foot can be really itchy and uncomfortable.
• My brother picked up a nasty case of Hong Kong foot at the gym.
• The rapid spread of misinformation online is like a contagious Hong Kong foot infecting society.

noun Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus

• The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a viral respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus.
• I heard there was a new case of MERS reported in the neighboring city.
• Did you see that news about MERS? Crazy stuff.
• The spread of misinformation can be like a contagious disease, similar to how MERS spreads among populations.

noun an infectious disease that is transmitted between animals and humans

• Zoonosis is the transmission of an infectious disease from animals to humans.
• I learned about zoonosis in my biology class - it's when diseases can spread from animals to people.
• Zoonosis is like a germ party that animals invite humans to attend.
• The spread of rumors in our office is like a zoonosis, infecting everyone with gossip.

noun a type of disease caused by mites or ticks

• The veterinarian diagnosed the dog with an acarine disease caused by mites.
• My cat has an acarine disease from those pesky mites.
• My dog's got that creepy crawly acarine disease.
• Negativity can spread like an acarine disease if not addressed early on.

noun Aedes is a noun referring to a genus of mosquitoes known to transmit diseases such as Zika, dengue, and chikungunya.

• The aedes mosquito is known to transmit diseases such as dengue fever and Zika virus.
• I heard that aedes mosquitoes are really annoying during the rainy season.
• Those dang aedes bugs are everywhere!
• The aedes of social media can spread misinformation just like the mosquito spreads disease.

noun a person who has a fear of cats

• Aelurophobes often have an irrational fear of cats.
• Some aelurophobes just can't stand being around cats.
• Aelurophobes are really scaredy-cats when it comes to felines.
• Aelurophobes see cats as their worst nightmare come to life.

noun the study of airborne particles such as pollen and spores

adjective relating to the study of airborne particles such as pollen and spores

• The study of aerobiological particles in the atmosphere is essential for understanding air quality.
• Aerobiological research helps us learn about the tiny things floating around in the air.
• I never knew aerobiological stuff was so interesting!
• Her thoughts were like aerobiological particles, floating freely and unpredictably in her mind.