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Viola Davis Talks About Shingles Pain and Healthy Aging

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Actress Viola Davis has opened up about her experience with shingles, a painful skin condition. She said the pain was 'debilitating,' meaning it was severe enough to affect her daily life. Davis explained that she was diagnosed with shingles, which means a doctor confirmed she had the illness.

Shingles can cause a painful rash and is more common in adults over the age of 50. Because of this, Davis has partnered with GSK, a pharmaceutical company, to raise awareness about the condition. The new health campaign aims to teach older adults about the risks of shingles and encourage them to learn more about prevention.

In addition to discussing her diagnosis, Davis shared thoughts on what she believes is the 'key to aging beautifully.' While details of her advice were not fully explained, her comments focus on staying healthy and positive as people grow older.

Davis is known for her acting career and has become a respected voice in public health conversations. By sharing her personal story, she hopes to help others recognize the symptoms of shingles early and seek medical advice. This kind of openness from public figures often helps reduce the stigma around health issues and encourages people to take preventive steps, such as vaccination, especially as they enter their 50s and beyond.

Vocabulary10 words

shingles
a painful sickness that affects the skin
GSK
a large company that makes medicines
diagnosed
told by a doctor what illness you have
debilitating
very weakening; making someone unable to function normally
awareness
public knowledge about an issue
campaign
an organized effort to achieve a goal
public health
health issues that affect many people in society
rash
red marks or spots on the skin
prevention
stopping something before it happens
pharmaceutical
related to making medicine

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Quiz

1. What did Viola Davis say about the pain from shingles?
2. Why is shingles awareness important for adults over 50?
3. Who is Davis partnering with for this health campaign?

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Fill-in-the-blank listening

Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.

Actress Viola Davis has opened up about her experience with _____.

She said the pain was '_____,' meaning it affected her daily life.

Davis explained that she was _____ with shingles.

Shingles is more common in adults over the age of _____.

Davis has partnered with _____, a pharmaceutical company.

The new health _____ aims to teach older adults about the risks.

Davis shared thoughts on the key to _____ beautifully.

Davis is known for her acting career and public _____ conversations.

She hopes to help others recognize the _____ of shingles early.

This may encourage people to consider _____, especially after age 50.

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