Write for an Academic Discussion

A professor has posted a question about a topic and students have responded with their thoughts and ideas. Make a contribution to the discussion.
You will have 10 minutes to write.

Your professor is teaching a class on health and wellness.

In your response, you should do the following.

• • Express and support your opinion.
• • Make a contribution to the discussion in your own words.

An effective response will contain at least 100 words.

Professor’s question:

This week, we're examining different approaches to health. One major discussion is about resource allocation. Should public health initiatives focus more on preventive care—like promoting healthy diets, exercise, and regular check-ups—or on developing advanced medical treatments and cures for diseases once they appear? Which approach do you believe is more beneficial for society in the long term, and why?

Student response 1:

I think focusing on preventive care is far more beneficial. It's more cost-effective to stop a disease from starting than to treat it later. For instance, teaching people about good nutrition can reduce rates of heart disease and diabetes. This approach helps more people stay healthy for longer.

Student response 2:

While prevention is important, I believe we must prioritize advanced treatments. Many serious illnesses cannot be prevented through lifestyle choices alone. Therefore, investing in research for cures and better medicines is crucial because it directly saves lives and gives hope to people who are already sick.