Introduction to Health-Related Challenges in China
In this guide, we will be discussing the healthcare system in China, mental health in China, and China's "zero-covid" policy.
China has a large and complex healthcare system that serves a population of over 1.4 billion people. Despite significant progress in improving healthcare access and outcomes in recent decades, China still faces significant challenges in providing quality care for its citizens. This guide will delve into some of these challenges and explore how China is working to address them.
We will also be looking at mental health care in China, including its prevalence and the stigma that surrounds it. Finally, we will cover China's approach to controlling the spread of COVID-19, including its "zero-covid" policy and the measures it has taken to try to eliminate the virus within its borders.
Healthcare System in China
Note: This section does not cover COVID-19, including its impacts on China’s healthcare system.
The healthcare system in China is a combination of public (公共的, Gōnggòng de) and private (私人的, Sīrén de) healthcare providers. The public healthcare system is funded by the government (政府, Zhèngfǔ) and provides basic healthcare services at a low cost to citizens (公民, Gōngmín). The private healthcare sector has grown significantly in recent years and includes a range of hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare providers that offer more specialized and higher-quality services at a higher cost. Many people in China choose to seek care from both public and private healthcare providers, depending on their needs and financial situation. Some of the main problems in regards to access to healthcare in China are:
- Cost: Despite the existence of the public healthcare system, many people in China struggle to afford healthcare services, particularly for more specialized or advanced treatments. Private healthcare providers tend to be more expensive, and even the public system can be cost-prohibitive (价格高昂, Jiàgé gāo'áng) for some people, particularly those living in rural areas (农村, Nóngcūn) or with low incomes (低收入, Dī shōurù).
- Quality: There are concerns about the quality of healthcare services in China, particularly in the public sector. Some hospitals and clinics are overcrowded (拥挤, Yōngjǐ) and understaffed (人手不足, Rénshǒu bùzú), leading to long wait times (等待时间, Děngdài shíjiān) and less personalized care (个性化的护理, Gèxìnghuà de hùlǐ). There are also concerns about the quality of some medications and other healthcare products, with cases of fake or substandard (劣质, Lièzhì) products being reported.
- Access: Access to healthcare can be a problem in some areas of China, particularly in rural or remote (偏远的, Piānyuǎn de) locations. Many people in these areas face significant challenges in accessing healthcare services, including a lack of available hospitals or clinics, long distances to travel, and a shortage of trained healthcare professionals. This can lead to delays in getting care and can worsen health outcomes (健康结果, Jiànkāng jiéguǒ) for people in these areas.
- Insurance: Despite the availability of health insurance, many people in China still do not have coverage (保险范围, Bǎoxiǎn fànwéi). This can be due to a lack of awareness about the importance of insurance, or because people cannot afford it. Without insurance, people may be less likely to seek medical care when needed, which can lead to more serious health problems in the long run.
- Stigma: There is still a significant stigma (耻辱, Chǐrǔ) attached to certain health conditions in China, particularly mental health (心理健康, Xīnlǐ jiànkāng) issues. This can discourage people from seeking help and can lead to a lack of understanding and support for those who are struggling with health problems.
Despite these problems, technology has played a role in improving healthcare in China, with the use of electronic medical records, telemedicine, and wearable health monitoring devices. These tools have made it easier for patients to access medical care and for healthcare providers to deliver better care.
Related Vocabulary
- 公共的 (Gōnggòng de) - public
- 私人的 (Sīrén de) - private
- 政府 (Zhèngfǔ) - government
- 公民 (Gōngmín) - citizen
Mental Health in China
China has a high burden of mental health disorders (精神健康问题 jīngshén jiànkāng wèntí), with high rates of depression (抑郁症 yìyùzhèng), anxiety (焦虑 jiāolǜ), and suicide (自杀 zìshā). These issues are often linked to social and economic factors (社会和经济因素 shèhuì hé jīngjì yīnsù) such as poverty (贫困 pínkùn), lack of access to mental health services (缺乏心理健康服务 quēfá xīnlǐ jiànkāng fúwù), and social stigma (社会耻辱 shèhuì chǐrǔ).
One major barrier to addressing mental health issues (心理健康问题 xīnlǐ jiànkāng wèntí) in China is the widespread stigma (耻辱 chǐrǔ) surrounding mental illness (精神疾病 jīngshén jíbìng). Many people in China view mental health problems (心理问题 xīnlǐ wèntí) as a personal weakness (个人弱点 gèrén ruòdiǎn) or a sign of moral failure (道德失败 dàodé shībài), which can discourage people from seeking help (寻求帮助 xúnqiú bāngzhù). This stigma can be particularly acute (尤其严重 yóuqí yánzhòng) in rural areas (农村 nóngcūn), where mental health services (心理健康服务 xīnlǐ jiànkāng fúwù) may be scarce (稀少 xīshǎo) or non-existent (不存在 bù cúnzài). As a result, many people with mental health problems (心理问题 xīnlǐ wèntí) in China do not receive the treatment they need (不能得到必要的治疗 bùnéng dédào bìyào de zhìliáo), leading to a significant burden of suffering (痛苦 tòngkǔ) and disability (残疾 cánjí).
In recent years, the Chinese government (中国政府 Zhōngguó zhèngfǔ) has made efforts (努力 nǔlì) to address the stigma (耻辱 chǐrǔ) surrounding mental health (心理健康 xīnlǐ jiànkāng) and improve access (改善获得 jiǎoshàn huòdé) to mental health services (心理健康服务 xīnlǐ jiànkāng fúwù). However, there is still a long way to go (仍有很长的路要走 réng yǒu hěn cháng de lù yào zǒu) in improving mental health care (提高心理健康保健 tígāo xīnlǐ jiànkāng bǎojiàn) and reducing the stigma (减少耻辱 jiǎnshǎo chǐrǔ) associated with mental illness (精神疾病 jīngshén jíbìng) in China.
Related Vocabulary
- 精神健康问题 (jīngshén jiànkāng wèntí) - mental health problems
- 抑郁症 (yìyùzhèng) - depression
- 焦虑 (jiāolǜ) - anxiety
- 自杀 (zìshā) - suicide
- 社会和经济因素 (shèhuì hé jīngjì yīnsù) - social and economic factors
- 贫困 (pínkùn) - poverty
- 缺乏心理健康服务 (quēfá xīnlǐ jiànkāng fúwù) - lack of access to mental health services
- 社会耻辱 (shèhuì chǐrǔ) - social stigma
- 个人弱点 (gèrén ruòdiǎn) - personal weakness
- 道德失败 (dàodé shībài) - moral failure
- 寻求帮助 (xúnqiú bāngzhù) - seeking help
- 尤其严重 (yóuqí yánzhòng) - particularly acute
- 农村 (nóngcūn) - rural areas
- 心理健康服务 (xīnlǐ jiànkāng fúwù) - mental health services
- 稀少 (xīshǎo) - scarce
- 不存在 (bù cúnzài) - non-existent
- 心理问题 (xīnlǐ wèntí) - mental health problems
- 不能得到必要的治疗 (bùnéng dédào bìyào de zhìliáo) - do not receive the treatment they need
- 痛苦 (tòngkǔ) - suffering
- 残疾 (cánjí) - disability
- 中国政府 (Zhōngguó zhèngfǔ) - Chinese government
- 努力 (nǔlì) - efforts
- 耻辱 (chǐrǔ) - stigma
- 改善获得 (jiǎoshàn huòdé) - improve access
- 提高心理健康保健 (tígāo xīnlǐ jiànkāng bǎojiàn) - improve mental health care
- 减少耻辱 (jiǎnshǎo chǐrǔ) - reduce stigma
- 精神疾病 (jīngshén jíbìng) - mental illness
- 仍有很长的路要走 (réng yǒu hěn cháng de lù yào zǒu) - still a long way to go
China’s “Zero-Covid” Policy
The COVID-19 pandemic had significant impacts on China, both in terms of the human and economic toll. The virus was first identified in Wuhan, China in late 2019 and quickly spread throughout the country and the world.
The COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on China, causing both illness (疾病 jíbìng) and death (死亡 sǐwáng) as well as economic problems (经济问题 jīngjì wèntí). The Chinese government worked hard to control the spread of the virus (传播病毒 chuánbō bìngdú) by taking strong measures like lockdowns (封锁 fēngsuǒ) of entire cities and widespread testing (大范围测试 dà fànwéi cèshì). While these efforts were successful in reducing the number of new cases (新增病例 xīn zēng bìnglì), they also made it harder for people to go about their daily lives (日常生活 rìcháng shēnghuó) and for businesses to operate normally (正常运营 zhèngcháng yùnyíng).
To try to eliminate the virus completely, China adopted a "zero-covid" policy (清零政策 qīng líng zhèngcè). This included steps like testing a lot of people (测试很多人 cèshì hěnduō rén), isolating anyone who might have been in contact with someone who had COVID-19 (隔离可能接触过 COVID-19 的人 gélí kěnéng jiēchù guò COVID-19 de rén), and imposing strict travel restrictions (实施严格的旅行限制 shíshī yángé de lǚxíng xiànzhì). While the zero-covid policy helped to keep the number of new cases low (使新增病例数量低 shǐ xīn zēng bìnglì shùliàng dī), it also had some downsides (缺点 quēdiǎn). It disrupted daily life (打乱日常生活 dǎluàn rìcháng shēnghuó) and the economy (经济 jīngjì), and it raised concerns about privacy (隐私 yǐnsī) and civil liberties (公民自由 gōngmín zìyóu) because the government was monitoring people closely (密切监控 mìqiè jiānkòng) to track the spread of the virus (跟踪传播病毒 gēnzōng chuánbō bìngdú).
In December 2022, China relaxed its zero-covid policy nearly three years after they were first enacted after a series of blank-paper protests and online messages sarcastically expressing support for the policy (to bypass censorship filters) from people who were fed up with lockdowns. What followed immediately after was a resurgence of COVID-19 infections due to the hasty reopening.
Related Vocabulary
- 疾病 (jíbìng) - illness
- 死亡 (sǐwáng) - death
- 经济问题 (jīngjì wèntí) - economic problems
- 传播病毒 (chuánbō bìngdú) - spread of the virus
- 封锁 (fēngsuǒ) - lockdowns
- 大范围测试 (dà fànwéi cèshì) - widespread testing
- 新增病例 (xīn zēng bìnglì) - new cases
- 日常生活 (rìcháng shēnghuó) - daily life
- 正常运营 (zhèngcháng yùnyíng) - normal operation
- 零病毒政策 (líng bìngdú zhèngcè) - zero-covid policy
- 测试很多人 (cèshì hěnduō rén) - testing a lot of people
- 隔离可能接触过 COVID-19 的人 (gélí kěnéng jiēchù guò COVID-19 de rén) - isolating anyone who might have been in contact with someone who had COVID-19
- 实施严格的旅行限制 (shíshī yángé de lǚxíng xiànzhì) - imposing strict travel restrictions
- 使新增病例数量低 (shǐ xīn zēng bìnglì shùliàng dī) - keeping the number of new cases low
- 缺点 (quēdiǎn) - downsides
- 打乱日常生活 (dǎluàn rìcháng shēnghuó) - disrupting daily life
- 经济 (jīngjì) - economy
- 隐私 (yǐnsī) - privacy
- 公民自由 (gōngmín zìyóu) - civil liberties
- 密切监控 (mìqiè jiānkòng) - closely monitoring
- 跟踪传播病毒 (gēnzōng chuánbō bìngdú) - tracking the spread of the virus
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you pronounce 人口老龄化 and what does it literally mean?
人口老龄化—pinyin: rénkǒu lǎolínghuà. Pronounce each syllable with tones: rén (2nd), kǒu (3rd), lǎo (3rd), líng (2nd), huà (4th). Literally it means “population + old + -ize/ -ization,” i.e., “the population becoming old” or more smoothly “population aging” (the demographic trend of an increasing elderly proportion). This term is a key CED vocabulary under “Aging Population Demographics” and shows up in reading/listening passages and free-response prompts about healthcare,养老服务, and 医疗保险 (see the Topic 4.2 study guide on Fiveable) (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-chinese-language-and-literature/unit-4/health-related-challenges-china/study-guide/7SknIj2VLVikfGxolIcR). For extra practice with this and 1,000+ other items, check Fiveable’s practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-chinese-language-and-literature).
What's the difference between 健康 and 卫生 when talking about health in Chinese?
简单区分：健康 (jiànkāng) 指的是“身体或心理的良好状态”，常用来谈疾病、慢性病、心理健康、预防保健等。比如 心理健康、慢性疾病、提高健康水平、预防保健。卫生 (wèishēng) 更偏向“环境或行为上的清洁与预防传染”，常见搭配有 公共卫生、个人卫生、食品卫生、卫生条件。 举例：政府做空气污染治理是为了保护居民的健康；学校检查食堂是为了保证食品卫生，防止传染病发生。两词有交集（良好的卫生有助于健康），但侧重点不同：健康是结果/状态，卫生是过程/措施。 在AP话题4.2里你会看到两者都出现（如 心理健康、公共卫生、预防保健、慢性疾病），写作或口语要根据题目选词更准确。想练习相关题材，参考 Fiveable 的单元学习指南（https://library.fiveable.me/ap-chinese-language-and-literature/unit-4/health-related-challenges-china/study-guide/7SknIj2VLVikfGxolIcR）和大量练习题（https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-chinese-language-and-literature）。
I'm confused about when to use 疾病 vs 病 - can someone explain?
Short answer: 疾病 is the formal word for “disease/illness” (used in reports, medical/academic language); 病 is more general and everyday (can mean “sickness,” a specific illness, or be part of verbs/compounds). Details and examples: - 疾病 (jíbìng)—formal, noun. Used in CED vocabulary like 慢性疾病, 心理疾病, 公共卫生/疾病防控. You’ll see this in articles, reports, and AP reading passages about health challenges. - e.g., 慢性疾病越来越普遍。 - 病 (bìng)—casual, can be noun or used in verbs. Used for getting sick or small/common illnesses. - e.g., 他生病了。/得了流感。/这只是小病，不用担心。 - Collocations matter: use 慢性疾病, 传染性疾病, or 心理疾病 for formal writing; use 生病, 看病, 病人, 小病 for conversations. On the AP exam you should recognize both in readings and choose register-appropriate vocabulary in free-response (use 疾病 for formal essays or cultural presentations about public health). For Topic 4.2 review, check the Fiveable study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-chinese-language-and-literature/unit-4/health-related-challenges-china/study-guide/7SknIj2VLVikfGxolIcR) and practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-chinese-language-and-literature).
How do I write about air pollution effects in my AP Chinese essay without sounding repetitive?
Keep it varied and exam-focused. Use different sentence patterns, specific vocabulary from the CED (e.g., PM2.5, 空气污染, 哮喘与肺病, 心血管问题), and mix causes, effects, solutions, and personal behaviors. For example: one sentence states a fact (PM2.5升高导致哮喘和肺病增加), next gives government response (政府加强空气质量监测与污染控制), then show personal action (市民戴口罩或减少户外运动)。Use numbers or study findings when possible (mention PM2.5 or increased rates) to sound precise. Vary verbs and connectors: 导致、引起、加剧、改善；因此、因此、然而、同时。In free-response tasks, balance description and opinion: state the problem, evaluate policies, and propose one clear solution. Practice writing short paragraphs doing this—timed—so you can meet AP expectations for organization and vocabulary. For topic review and more phrase lists, see the Topic 4.2 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-chinese-language-and-literature/unit-4/health-related-challenges-china/study-guide/7SknIj2VLVikfGxolIcR) and practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-chinese-language-and-literature).
What are some good transition phrases I can use when discussing healthcare challenges?
给你一些适合讨论健康相关挑战（比如空气污染、人口老龄化、心理健康、慢性病、远程医疗、中西医结合等）的常用衔接语，按功能分组，方便在写作或口语里用来组织段落（这些衔接会帮助你在自由回应和文化展示题中把观点连贯地展开，符合 AP 要求）： - 引入/开头：首先 / 起初 / 关于……来说 / 就……而言 - 衔接补充：此外 / 再者 / 另外 / 不仅如此 / 同时 - 举例说明：例如 / 比如说 / 以……为例 / 具体来说 - 因果关系：因此 / 所以 / 由于……，导致…… / 这使得…… - 对比转折：但是 / 然而 / 尽管如此 / 相反 / 虽然……但是…… - 强调结论：值得注意的是 / 特别是 / 总之 / 总的来说 - 提出解决方案：为了解决这个问题，可以…… / 一种可行的办法是…… / 政府应该/需要…… / 社区可以…… - 承上启下（句间连接）：接下来 / 另外值得一提的是 / 既然……，就…… 在写作文或口语时，把这些短语自然地插入句子里（比如“首先，北京的PM2.5水平较高，导致呼吸系统疾病增加；因此，政府实行更严格的空气质量监测和污染控制措施。”）能提高条理性，符合 AP 自由回应对“组织清晰、衔接得当”的评分标准。想练习把这些衔接语用到题目上，参考本话题的学习资料（https://library.fiveable.me/ap-chinese-language-and-literature/unit-4/health-related-challenges-china/study-guide/7SknIj2VLVikfGxolIcR）、单元概览（https://library.fiveable.me/ap-chinese-language-and-literature/unit-4），以及大量练习题（https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-chinese-language-and-literature）。
When do I use 中西医结合 vs just saying 中医 or 西医?
用中医、中医或中西医结合，取决于你想表达的意思： - 说“中医”或“西医”时，是在区分两种单独的医学体系（比如：我更相信中医的草药和针灸 / 我需要去看西医做化验）。这在讨论传统疗法、研究中医药疗效或医疗体系差异时常用（与CED里的“Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Modern Medicine”条目对应）。 - 说“中西医结合”（zhōngxīyī jiéhé）时，强调两者同时使用或整合治疗方案，例如：医院既给病人做西医手术，也配合中药和针灸以康复。用在讨论医院提供混合治疗、整合医疗政策、或培训综合医生时最合适（直接对应CED的“Healthcare System Integration”要点）。 在写作/口语考试里，如果题目要你比较或说明“中国如何应对健康挑战”，用“中西医结合”能呈现系统性解决方案；若只是描述某种疗法或个人选择，用“中医”或“西医”就够了。想看更多例句和考试练习，请参考这份主题学习指南（https://library.fiveable.me/ap-chinese-language-and-literature/unit-4/health-related-challenges-china/study-guide/7SknIj2VLVikfGxolIcR），以及五able的练习题库（https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-chinese-language-and-literature）。
I don't understand the cultural context behind family care for elderly - is this still expected in modern China?
短答：传统上，照顾年迈父母被视为孝道（家庭照顾责任），在中国文化里仍很重要，但现代现实让做法在变。随着人口老龄化、城市化和独生子女一代的出现，很多家庭因工作、距离和经济压力不能全天候照顾父母，转而依靠养老院、社区养老服务和医疗保险支持（CED关键词：人口老龄化、养老服务、医疗保险）。政府也在推进社区护理、长期护理保险和远程医疗来解决压力，但家庭照顾的价值观仍常出现在对话或文化类题目里（考试会在会话/文化呈现题中考察文化背景）。如果你要在AP写/说题里用这点，提到“孝”和“养老院/社区支持”并评估利弊就够了。想复习这节内容，看 Fiveable 的专题（https://library.fiveable.me/ap-chinese-language-and-literature/unit-4/health-related-challenges-china/study-guide/7SknIj2VLVikfGxolIcR）、整单元概览（https://library.fiveable.me/ap-chinese-language-and-literature/unit-4），并练习题（https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-chinese-language-and-literature）。
What's the proper way to say "mental health stigma" in Chinese for my presentation?
The most natural AP-level phrase is 心理健康污名 (xīnlǐ jiànkāng wūmíng)—literally “mental-health stigma.” You can also say 心理健康污名化 (wūmínghuà) to emphasize the process of stigmatizing, or 心理疾病污名 (xīnlǐ jíbìng wūmíng) when talking specifically about mental illnesses. Quick examples you can use in your presentation: - 中国社会对心理健康还有一定的污名化现象。(Zhōngguó shèhuì duì xīnlǐ jiànkāng hái yǒu yīdìng de wūmínghuà xiànxiàng.) - 需要更多心理健康教育来减少污名。(Xūyào gèng duō xīnlǐ jiànkāng jiàoyù lái jiǎnshǎo wūmíng.) This topic fits Topic 4.2 (mental health and modern stress) and could come up in the Cultural Presentation or Conversation prompts on the AP exam. For study resources, see the Topic 4.2 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-chinese-language-and-literature/unit-4/health-related-challenges-china/study-guide/7SknIj2VLVikfGxolIcR) and practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-chinese-language-and-literature).
How do I conjugate verbs when talking about increasing health problems over time?
中文没有像英语那样的动词变位。要表示“随时间增加”的意思，常用句型和词语有： - 越来越 + 形容词/动词短语：空气污染越来越严重；糖尿病人数越来越多。 - 变得 / 变得越来越 + 形容词：城市人口老龄化变得越来越明显。 - 逐渐 / 日益 / 越发 + 动词/形容词：心理健康问题逐渐受到重视；快餐文化日益影响饮食习惯。 - 加剧 / 恶化 / 上升（动词，常和“越来越”或“逐渐”连用）：PM2.5水平逐年上升，呼吸系统疾病在某些城市有加剧的趋势。 在AP自由回答里，评卷者会看你是不是用多样的语法表达时间变化（用不同连接词、时态词与句型），并且句子连贯有条理。想练习这些句型和拿分的写法，可以看五able的专题学习指南（https://library.fiveable.me/ap-chinese-language-and-literature/unit-4/health-related-challenges-china/study-guide/7SknIj2VLVikfGxolIcR）并做更多练习题（https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-chinese-language-and-literature）。
Can someone help me understand the grammar structure for expressing cause and effect with pollution and health?
要表达“污染 → 健康影响”的因果关系，常用几种结构： - 因为...（所以）... / 由于...（因此）... e.g. 由于空气中PM2.5浓度高，所以哮喘和心血管病发病率增加。 - 导致 / 造成 / 引起 + 结果（名词/句子） e.g. 重度雾霾会导致呼吸道感染。 - 对...有害 / 对...有影响 e.g. 空气污染对老年人的心脏健康有害。 - 以致 / 以至于（常接负面结果） e.g. 空气质量差，许多人戴口罩以致出行不便。 - 因此 / 因而（正式，常放句首或句中） e.g. 城市加强监测，因此PM2.5水平有所下降。 写作/口语时混用这些能增加句型多样性（AP自由回答要用多种语法结构）。想要更多例句和练习，参考五able的专题学习资料（https://library.fiveable.me/ap-chinese-language-and-literature/unit-4/health-related-challenges-china/study-guide/7SknIj2VLVikfGxolIcR）和大量练习题（https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-chinese-language-and-literature）。
What are some advanced vocabulary words about technology in healthcare that will impress AP graders?
用在写作或口头答题能加分的科技+医疗高级词汇（中文 + 拼音 + 英文简释），记得在自由回答里体现多样词汇和连贯句子： - 人工智能（rén'gōng zhì'néng）AI辅助诊断 - 深度学习（shēndù xuéxí）deep learning（医学影像分析） - 影像识别（yǐngxiàng shíbié）image recognition - 远程医疗/远程诊疗（yuǎnchéng yīliáo）telemedicine - 电子病历（diànzǐ bìnglì）electronic health records (EHR) - 大数据分析（dà shùjù fēnxī）big data analytics（流行病监测） - 可穿戴设备（kě chuān dài shèbèi）wearables（健康监测） - 智能预警系统（zhìnéng yùjǐng xìtǒng）early-warning systems - 基因编辑/基因治疗（jīyīn biānjí / jīyīn zhìliáo）gene editing/therapy - 临床试验（línchuáng shìyàn）clinical trials - 生物技术（shēngwù jìshù）biotech - 隐私保护/数据安全（yǐnsī bǎohù / shùjù ānquán）privacy & data security 在自由回答/口语呈现时，结合例子（如“利用人工智能提高肺部CT的诊断准确率”）能得更高分。更多主题复习看 Fiveable 的专题（https://library.fiveable.me/ap-chinese-language-and-literature/unit-4/health-related-challenges-china/study-guide/7SknIj2VLVikfGxolIcR），整体单元资料（https://library.fiveable.me/ap-chinese-language-and-literature/unit-4）和千+练题（https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-chinese-language-and-literature）。
I missed class - what's the difference between 预防 and 治疗 in medical contexts?
Short answer: 预防 = prevent; 治疗 = treat. In medical contexts 预防(yùfáng) means actions taken before someone gets sick to reduce risk—vaccinations, wearing masks, air-quality alerts, 健康检查, 健康教育, and lifestyle changes (this ties to 预防保健 and 公共卫生 in the CED). 治疗(zhìliáo) means actions after illness appears to cure or manage it—medicine, surgery, rehab, 中西医结合 treatments, or chronic-disease management. For the AP exam, you should be able to: - Use both terms in sentences (e.g., 政府更重视预防，像疫苗接种和空气质量监测；生病后要及时治疗。) - Connect them to cultural topics (Traditional wellness emphasizes 预防; health system integration involves 治疗 methods). Want more practice? Check the Topic 4.2 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-chinese-language-and-literature/unit-4/health-related-challenges-china/study-guide/7SknIj2VLVikfGxolIcR) and 1000+ practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-chinese-language-and-literature).
How do I properly structure sentences when comparing traditional vs modern medicine approaches?
用比较句时，常用结构有：A 和 B 比较（A hé B bǐjiào）、与 … 相比（yǔ … xiāngbǐ）、相比之下（xiāngbǐ zhī xià）、一方面…另一方面…、虽然…但是…。写中医（TCM）与现代医学对比时，注意表明侧重点、证据和结论，常见句型和例子： - 与西医相比，中医更注重预防保健和整体平衡（Yǔ xīyī xiāngbǐ, zhōngyī gèng zhùzhòng yùfáng bǎojiàn hé zhěngtǐ pínghéng）。 - 虽然现代医学在急性病和手术方面更有效，但中医在慢性疾病的长期管理上有其优势（Suīrán xiàndài yīxué zài jíxìng bìng hé shǒushù fāngmiàn gèng yǒuxiào, dàn zhōngyī zài mànxìng jíbìng de chángqī guǎnlǐ shàng yǒu tèsè）。 - 医院常采用中西医结合来兼顾疗效与安全（Yīyuàn cháng cǎiyòng zhōngxīyī jiéhé lái jiāngù liáoxiào yǔ ānquán）。 在写作/口语题（如邮件、对话、文化陈述）用“与…相比 / 相比之下 / 一方面…另一方面…”能让论述更清晰，也符合AP自由回答对比较与分析的要求。想练更多句型和题目，参考这个话题学习指南（https://library.fiveable.me/ap-chinese-language-and-literature/unit-4/health-related-challenges-china/study-guide/7SknIj2VLVikfGxolIcR）或去Fiveable做题（https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-chinese-language-and-literature）。
What cultural examples should I include when writing about aging population challenges?
Include cultural examples that show how traditions and modern forces shape the problem. Good choices for AP prompts: - Family care/孝顺: expectations that adult children care for parents vs. fewer children after the one-child era → concepts like 空巢老人 and 代际照顾压力. - Living arrangements: shift from multi-generational homes to nuclear families and rise of 养老院/社区养老 services. - Role of 中西医结合 and traditional prevention (养生) in eldercare choices. - Social safety nets: 医疗保险 and pension reform debates affecting elderly access to care. - Community practices: group exercise (太极), senior activity centers, volunteer networks that support elders. - Stigma/心理健康: loneliness, dementia care attitudes. When you write, explain cultural significance (why 孝顺 matters), link to policy/healthcare consequences, and use CED vocabulary (人口老龄化, 养老服务, 医疗保险). For more examples and AP practice, see the Topic 4.2 study guide (https://library.fiveable.me/ap-chinese-language-and-literature/unit-4/health-related-challenges-china/study-guide/7SknIj2VLVikfGxolIcR) and practice questions (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-chinese-language-and-literature).
Is there a specific way to express statistics and data about health issues in formal Chinese writing?
Yes. In formal Chinese writing (like AP free-response or a cultural presentation), you should: cite sources, use formal vocab for rates, and state numbers clearly. Useful phrases and structures: - 引用来源/数据: 根据……的统计/调查/研究，数据显示/研究表明…… - 表示比例/百分比: 占……%（百分之……），为……%，约为……% - 表示变化: 上升/下降/增长/减少/回落（上升了10个百分点；增长了20%） - 常用指标: 发病率、死亡率、患病率、患病人数、人均、平均寿命、寿命期望 - 表示基准: 每十万人中（每10万人）、每千人中（每1000人） - 强调重要性: 值得注意的是/尤其是/显著地 短例句： - 根据国家统计局（或某研究）数据，城市PM2.5平均浓度为每立方米60微克，超出世界卫生组织标准约200%。 - 我国老年人口比例已达到18%，人口老龄化趋势明显。 For AP tasks, keep register formal and cite data briefly when supporting arguments (use the Topic 4.2 study guide for examples: https://library.fiveable.me/ap-chinese-language-and-literature/unit-4/health-related-challenges-china/study-guide/7SknIj2VLVikfGxolIcR). For more practice with formal phrasing and data language, try Fiveable practice problems (https://library.fiveable.me/practice/ap-chinese-language-and-literature).