Band 9 model answer
As lifestyle-related illnesses rise, opinions differ over who bears responsibility for public health. Some look to the state, while others insist that individuals must look after themselves. In my view, responsibility is shared, though the government must lead.
Those who emphasise personal responsibility make a reasonable case. Ultimately, no government can force a person to eat sensibly, exercise or abstain from smoking; these are daily choices that lie within the individual's control. Holding people accountable for their habits, the argument runs, encourages self-discipline and prevents the squandering of public money on entirely avoidable conditions.
Nevertheless, I find the argument for governmental responsibility more persuasive, because individuals can only make healthy choices within the environment the state creates. Authorities shape that environment profoundly: they can regulate the sugar and salt content of food, tax tobacco and alcohol, fund accessible sports facilities and run public-awareness campaigns. Crucially, they can guarantee affordable healthcare so that illness is treated before it becomes severe. Without such measures, even the most motivated citizen may struggle, while the poorest, who suffer the worst health outcomes, are left without recourse.
The two positions are best reconciled by recognising their interdependence. The government should establish the conditions for healthy living, after which individuals are duty-bound to make use of them.
In conclusion, while personal choices undeniably matter, governments possess the power and the resources to protect public health on a scale individuals cannot match. Responsibility should therefore be shared, with the state taking the leading role.
Examiner’s notes
- Presents both perspectives even-handedly before delivering a clear, reasoned opinion, satisfying the discuss-both-views task.
- Develops the chosen view with a strong central idea: individuals act within an environment the state controls.
- Sophisticated phrasing strengthens Lexical Resource: bears responsibility, interdependence, duty-bound, without recourse.