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Chapter Three
PART Two
INTERVIEW 1
In this section you will hear everything ONCE ONLY. Listen carefully and then answer the questions that follow.
Questions 1 to 5 are based on an interview. At the end of the interview, you will be given 10 seconds to answer each of the following 5 questions. Now listen to the interview.
M: For years, people are trying to keep up with the Joneses, but instead of competing with your neighbors, how about actually trying to get along with them? Joining us for some simple tips on how to deal with those likable and not so likable neighbors is Betty Wang. She is executive editor of Family Circle Magazine. Good morning, Betty.
W: Good morning. John.
M: Well, in an ideal world, I guess we would all get along well with our neighbors, wouldn't we?
W: Right, right, you hope so.
M: But why is it important to have good relationships with them?
W: Well, you know your home is your sanctuary, and how you get along with your neighbors really plays a large part in your health, well-being and happiness. Because your neighbors really kind of make your home, so it is important to at least establish a good, cordial or at least polite relationship with your neighbors.
M: How do we establish that? When you move into a new neighborhood, should you reach out to the neighbors? Or should they be reaching out to you?
W: I think it can work either way, I mean, if they don't reach out to you, don't assume that they are being rude or unfriendly. They just might hold back because they think you're too busy, unpacking and settling in. If they don't make the first step, after a few days, go ahead and introduce yourself. Because I think once you are on a first name basis with your neighbors, it's much easier to combat problems later on, or maybe call them for a favor down the road when you are on vacation and you need them to water your plants. It's much easier when you know them personally.
M: Yea, neighbors can be really helpful but, of course they can also be annoying, for example, loud music?
W: Loud music is one of those top complaints, and I think, for most reasonable people, they probably aren't even aware they are causing problems for their neighbors and I think if you bring it up to your neighbors' attention, they will be more than happy to fix it. But, you can take that “it is not you, it is me” approach; you can say something like, I'm kind of a really light sleeper, or I suffer from migraines, can you help me out by turning down the music during those evening hours, or early morning, or come up with a compromise that work for both of you...
M: Don't just call the police. That's what a lot of people do. So, that's a common complaint, loud music, but also sometimes we can have smells, or other things that disturb our senses.
W: Yea, that's a tough one, that's really a sensitive situation, because if you want to live in the comfort of your own home and not have to deal with unpleasant smells, then your neighbor is just as entitled to cook whatever she likes in the comfort of her own home. So, I would approach her, by saying, I am not sure if you realize what's happening, but, you know, I can smell something coming from your kitchen, would you mind opening your window or maybe using your exhaust fan. You try to approach them politely, reasonably, and if that doesn't work, you can also just talk to the management, and maybe there is something wrong with the building's ventilation system. If something is coming into your apartment, that might be a quick fix without having that uncomfortable conversation.
M: What is the thing you said, in this month's Family Circle, is it there is power in numbers? Right? So, when you are approaching your neighbor, what should you do?
W: Yeah, I mean sometimes it does help to gather up some troops and, just to get some support from your fellow neighbors, but you have to be sensitive that you are not ganging up on your next door neighbor. Right, you don't want to be in an intervention or something like that.
M: What about nosy neighbors? I mean somebody, you know you feel they are always coming around, checking out your every move.
W: Well, I think a lot of the time people must mistake some behavior for being nosey or pokey when the neighbor is trying to be friendly or maybe the person is lonely. So, you just have to see what the motive is, and oftentimes, if you are a little distant, or you just don't answer their questions, they often take the hint and back off.
M: And the neighbors that come to visit and won't go away?
W: Well, I think, there might be some, but the neighbor can just be really lonely and want a friend, you know, oftentimes, I think the rule is a 5-to-10 minute visit is fine. Because, that way you are not breaking up a person's schedule or their personal plans but you don't have to be best friends with your neighbors at all and you can just be civil, polite, and say hello in the morning as you come and go, and that makes everybody's relationship so much better.
M: That's so important, Betty Wang, thanks so much for the tips, we appreciate that for Family Circle Magazine.
INTERVIEW 2
In this section you will hear everything ONCE ONLY. Listen carefully and then answer the questions that follow. Questions 1 to 5 are based on an interview. At the end of the interview, you will be given 10 seconds to answer each of the following 5 questions. Now listen to the interview.
Interviewer(W): I am talking to Richard Johnson, an official of WHO, the World Health Organization. Today he will talk with us about the change of people's understanding of health. Hello, Richard.
Richard Johnson(M): Hello.
W: Now Richard, the concept of health has been changing all the time. And different people and groups hold different opinions towards it. Would you mind telling us the original concept of health?
M: Of course not. Health has long been viewed in the physical sense only. That is, good health has been connected to the smooth mechanical operation of body, while ill health has been attributed to a breakdown in this machine. In this sense, health has been defined as the absence of disease or illness and is seen in medical terms. Therefore, creating health for people means providing medical care to treat or prevent disease and illness.
W: Then what was the emphasis of the work of the WHO during that period?
M: Well, the emphasis was of course on providing clean water, improved sanitation and housing.
W: I see. When did the concept begin to change?
M: In the late 1940s, the WHO challenged this physically and medically oriented view of health. They stated that health was a complete state of physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease. The mind, body and spirit of a person were seen holistically.
W: How long did this concept last?
M: It lasted until the 1970s. At that time, people focused their attention on the prevention of disease and illness by emphasizing the importance of the lifestyle and behavior of the individual. Specific behaviors which were seen to increase risk of disease, such as smoking, lack of fitness and unhealthy eating habits, were targeted. Creating health meant providing not only medical health care, but health promotion programs and policies which would help people maintain healthy behavior and lifestyles.
W: It sounds reasonable. It must have been beneficial to people.
M: Unfortunately, not.
W: But why?
M: You see,this individualistic healthy lifestyles approach did help the wealthy members of the society. But the majority were people experiencing poverty, unemployment or little control over the conditions of their daily lives. How could people afford the program if they lived under unfavorable social and environmental factors?
W: I'm beginning to see your point. A single lifestyle decides nothing if not integrated with a good environment.
M: That's right. So during the 1980s and 1990s, there has been a growing swing away from seeing lifestyle risks as the root cause of poor health. While lifestyle factors still remain important, health is being viewed also in terms of the social, economic and environmental contexts in which people live.
W: This is a new concept of health. And I heard it's called the socio-ecological view, isn't it?
M: Yes. In 1986, representatives from 38 countries gathered in Ottawa, Canada, to hold the first international Conference of Health Promotion. It was at that conference that the broad socio-ecological view of health was endorsed.
W: What were the details of the endorsement?
M: Well, the representatives declared that the fundamental conditions and resources for health are peace, shelter, education, food, a viable income, a stable eco-system, sustainable resources, social justice and equity. Moreover, improvement in health requires a secure foundation in these basic requirements. From this statement, we can find that the creation of health is about much more than encouraging healthy individual behaviors and lifestyles and providing appropriate medical care. It must include addressing such issues as poverty, pollution, urbanization, natural resource depletion, social alienation and poor working conditions.
W: Oh, I see. But how are they affecting health?
M: They do not operate separately. Rather, they are interacting and interdependent. The complex interrelationships between them determine the conditions that promote health. A broad socio-ecological view of health suggests that the promotion of health must include a strong social, economic and environmental focus.
W: That's right.
M: As we all know, good health is a major source for social, economic and personal development and an important dimension of quality of life. Political, economic, social, cultural, environmental, behavioral and biological factors can all favor health or be harmful to it. The Ottawa Conference not only redefines the notion of health. More importantly, it brings practical meaning and action to this broad notion of health promotion. It presents fundamental strategies and approaches in achieving health for all.
W: Then what is the basic philosophy of this health promotion?
M: Very easy to understand. Just to enable people to increase control over and to improve their health.
W: The new concept of health you have told us today is very useful to our understanding of health. Thank you very much.
M: You are welcome.
