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Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What knowledge or information do you have about tuberculosis (often abbreviated as TB)?
- How do you think tuberculosis is transmitted, and what are some common misconceptions about the disease?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- shift /shift/
- reveal /ri-VEEL/
- substantial /suhb-STAN-shuhl/
- scale /skeyl/
- emerge /ih-MURJ/
[noun] – a significant change or adjustment in a particular direction
Her promotion to a leadership role marked a significant shift in her career trajectory.
[verb] – to make known or disclose information
During the press conference, the CEO will reveal the company’s plans for expansion into new markets.
[adjective] – large in size, value, or importance
The company experienced a substantial increase in profits after implementing the new marketing strategy.
[noun] – the size or extent of something, especially when considered in relation to a particular area, population, or timeframe
On an economic scale, the recession of 2008 had far-reaching consequences, affecting industries and livelihoods worldwide.
[verb] – to appear by coming out of something or out from behind something
After a long winter, the first signs of spring began to emerge as flowers bloomed and birds returned.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently unveiled its 2023 Global Tuberculosis (TB) report, showcasing positive advancements in the expansion of TB diagnosis and treatment services worldwide. This signifies a hopeful shift in countering the negative impacts of COVID-19 disruptions on TB services. Gathering data from 192 countries and regions, the report reveals that in 2022, a substantial number of individuals received TB diagnoses, marking the highest recorded figure since WHO began global TB monitoring in 1995.
This increase is credited to notable enhancements in healthcare access and provision in many countries. Particularly, regions heavily affected by the pandemic have seen significant recoveries in TB services. WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, expressed confidence in the substantial progress made, emphasizing the unique opportunity to bring the TB story to a close. On a global scale, a significant number of people were estimated to contract TB in 2022, showing an increase from the previous year. Geographically, in 2022, the majority of TB cases emerged in regions significantly impacted by the pandemic. Although TB-related deaths slightly decreased, disruptions caused by COVID-19 led to additional TB-related fatalities in recent years. Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) remains a notable public health concern, and efforts are underway to improve treatment accessibility. The report also acknowledges some progress in developing new TB diagnostics, drugs, and vaccines. However, overall investment in these areas remains a limiting factor.
This increase is credited to notable enhancements in healthcare access and provision in many countries. Particularly, regions heavily affected by the pandemic have seen significant recoveries in TB services. WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, expressed confidence in the substantial progress made, emphasizing the unique opportunity to bring the TB story to a close. On a global scale, a significant number of people were estimated to contract TB in 2022, showing an increase from the previous year. Geographically, in 2022, the majority of TB cases emerged in regions significantly impacted by the pandemic. Although TB-related deaths slightly decreased, disruptions caused by COVID-19 led to additional TB-related fatalities in recent years. Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) remains a notable public health concern, and efforts are underway to improve treatment accessibility. The report also acknowledges some progress in developing new TB diagnostics, drugs, and vaccines. However, overall investment in these areas remains a limiting factor.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What did the World Health Organization (WHO) unveil in its 2023 Global Tuberculosis (TB) report?
- How has COVID-19 affected TB services, and what does the report signify in this regard?
- How many countries and regions provided data for the report?
- What is significant about the number of TB diagnoses in 2022 compared to previous years?
- What is credited for the increase in TB diagnoses in 2022?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever come across information or campaigns about tuberculosis (TB) in your community or online? If so, did you find it helpful or informative, and did it change how you think about TB? If not, do you think it’s important for this kind of information to be more widely available? Why or why not?
- Have you ever learned about how tuberculosis (TB) affected societies in the past through historical accounts or documentaries? If yes, how did it change your understanding of the difficulties faced by communities dealing with TB in history? If not, would you be interested in knowing more about this part of history? Why or why not?
- Do you think the progress made in fighting tuberculosis (TB) in 2022, as highlighted in the WHO’s 2023 Global TB report, is mainly because more people have access to healthcare services?
- How do you think the strengths and weaknesses of your country’s healthcare system have affected its ability to respond effectively to public health challenges like tuberculosis, as mentioned in the WHO’s 2023 Global TB report?
- Considering the challenges posed by diseases like tuberculosis (TB), what specific health issues do you think should be focused on for comprehensive attention and action in your country’s healthcare system, and why?