Health-健康 (kenkou)

 1. Today's Japanese words

## Basic Japanese Vocabulary about Health-健康 (kenkou) :

**Body Parts:**
* 頭 (atama) - head
* 顔 (kao) - face
* 耳 (Mimi) - ear
* 目 (me) - eye
* 鼻 (hana) - nose
* 口 (kuchi) - mouth
* 歯 (ha) - teeth
* 手 (te) - hand
* 足 (ashi) - foot
* 腹 (hara) - stomach
* 背中 (senaka) - back

**Symptoms:**
* 痛い (itai) - painful
* 熱がある (netsu ga aru) - have a fever
* 咳が出る (seki ga deru) - have a cough
* 腹痛 (fukutsuu) - stomachache
* 頭痛 (zutsuu) - headache
* 気持ち悪い (kimochi warui) - feel nauseous
* 疲れた (tsukaれた) - tired

**General terms:**
* 健康 (kenkou) - health
* 病気 (byouki) - illness
* 病院 (byouin) - hospital
* 医者 (ishi) - doctor
* 薬 (kusuri) - medicine
* 看護師 (kangoshi) - nurse
* 治療 (chiryou) - treatment
* 回復 (kaifuku) - recovery
* 予防 (yobo) - prevention

**Phrases:**
* 大丈夫ですか？ (daijoubu desu ka?) - Are you alright?
* 病院に行った方がいいですよ。 (byouin ni itta hou ga ii desu yo.) - You should go to the hospital.
* 薬を飲みましょう。 (kusuri o nomimashou.) - Let's take some medicine.
* 早くよくなってください。 (hayaku yoku natte kudasai.) - Get well soon.

**Other:**
* 健康診断 (kenkou shindan) - health checkup
* 健康保険 (kenkou hoken) - health insurance
* 運動 (undou) - exercise
* 休養 (kyuuryou) - rest
* 食事 (shokuji) - meal
* 睡眠 (suimin) - sleep

2. Today's topic
## Health in Japan: A Look at a High-Performing System
Japan boasts one of the healthiest populations in the world, with the **highest life expectancy among developed nations**. This can be attributed to a combination of factors, including:

* **Universal healthcare system:** All residents in Japan are required to have health insurance, ensuring everyone has access to quality care. The system emphasizes preventative care and early detection of diseases.
* **Healthy lifestyle:** Traditional Japanese diet is rich in fish, vegetables, and fermented foods, while processed foods and sugary drinks are less common. Additionally, cultural emphasis on physical activity and social harmony contribute to well-being.
* **Strong social support:** Japan has a strong sense of community, with families and neighbors offering support to each other. This social cohesion can have a positive impact on mental and physical health.

Here's a deeper dive into some key aspects of health in Japan:

**Healthcare system:**

* **Universal coverage:** Everyone in Japan has health insurance, either through their employer or a national program. This ensures financial accessibility to healthcare services.
* **Multi-tiered system:** There are public hospitals, private hospitals, and clinics, offering a range of choices for patients.
* **Preventative focus:** Regular checkups and screenings are encouraged, with the aim of catching health problems early on.

**Lifestyle:**

* **Traditional diet:** Japanese cuisine is known for its emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients, with fish, vegetables, and fermented foods forming the staples. This dietary pattern is linked to a lower risk of chronic diseases.
* **Physical activity:** Many Japanese people incorporate physical activity into their daily lives, such as walking, cycling, and traditional martial arts.
* **Strong social bonds:** Family and community play an important role in Japanese culture, providing social support and a sense of belonging, which can positively impact mental health.

**Challenges:**

* **Aging population:** Japan has one of the fastest-aging populations in the world, which puts strain on the healthcare system and increases the need for elder care.
* **Mental health:** While suicide rates have declined in recent years, mental health issues remain a concern, particularly among young people.
* **Work-life balance:** Long working hours and pressure to conform can contribute to stress and burnout.

**Overall, Japan's health system and lifestyle factors contribute to its impressive health outcomes. However, there are challenges to address, such as the aging population and mental health concerns.**

3- Today’s news
Death by ramen? Study links fatal strokes with number of shops
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/13055729
The team found that the more ramen eateries there were per capita in a prefecture, the higher the rate of deaths from stroke.
In areas with many ramen shops, residents tend to buy more salt as well.

Study: ‘Shogun pillow syndrome’ heightens the risk of stroke
https://www.asahi.com/sp/ajw/articles/15171640