Day 27｜実戦演習⑥｜医療・健康
【メイン課題】
以下の英文を 6分〜8分以内 に読んで設問に答えてください。
英文：
Antibiotic resistance has been identified by the World Health Organization as one of the greatest threats to global public health. Since the discovery of penicillin in 1928, antibiotics have saved countless lives by treating bacterial infections that were once fatal. However, the widespread and often unnecessary use of these drugs has accelerated the evolution of bacteria that are resistant to treatment, creating so-called “superbugs” that pose a growing danger to human health.
The mechanism of antibiotic resistance is rooted in natural selection. When a population of bacteria is exposed to an antibiotic, most of the bacteria are killed. However, a small number may possess genetic mutations that allow them to survive. These resistant bacteria then reproduce, passing their resistance genes to the next generation. Over time, the resistant strain becomes dominant, and the antibiotic loses its effectiveness. This process occurs naturally but is dramatically accelerated by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in both human medicine and agriculture.
The scale of the problem is alarming. A comprehensive study published in 2022 estimated that antibiotic-resistant infections directly caused approximately 1.27 million deaths worldwide in 2019 and were associated with nearly 5 million deaths overall. Without effective action, this number is projected to rise significantly in the coming decades. Common medical procedures such as surgery, organ transplants, and chemotherapy, which rely on antibiotics to prevent infections, could become far more dangerous if current drugs lose their effectiveness.
The agricultural sector bears significant responsibility for the antibiotic resistance crisis. In many countries, antibiotics are routinely administered to livestock not to treat illness but to promote growth and prevent disease in crowded farming conditions. This practice exposes vast numbers of bacteria to antibiotics, creating ideal conditions for resistance to develop. Resistant bacteria from farms can spread to humans through contaminated meat, direct contact with animals, or environmental pathways such as contaminated water and soil.
Efforts to combat antibiotic resistance are being pursued on multiple fronts. Public health campaigns aim to educate patients about the importance of taking antibiotics only when prescribed and completing the full course of treatment. Many countries have implemented regulations to restrict the use of antibiotics in agriculture, particularly for growth promotion. Hospital stewardship programs monitor antibiotic prescribing practices to ensure that the right drug is used at the right dose for the right duration.
The development of new antibiotics has slowed dramatically in recent decades, as pharmaceutical companies have shifted their focus to more profitable drug categories. Since the 1980s, very few new classes of antibiotics have been discovered, and the pipeline of drugs in development remains thin. To address this, governments and international organizations have created financial incentives such as research grants, tax credits, and guaranteed purchase agreements to encourage pharmaceutical companies to invest in antibiotic research. Scientists are also exploring alternative approaches, including phage therapy, which uses naturally occurring viruses that attack bacteria, and antimicrobial peptides derived from various organisms.
設問：
（1）抗生物質耐性が生じるメカニズムを本文に基づいて説明しなさい。
（2）2019年に抗生物質耐性感染症が直接原因で亡くなった人は世界で約何人か。
（3）農業部門が耐性菌問題に寄与している理由を説明しなさい。
（4）新しい抗生物質の開発が遅れている理由と、それに対する対策を答えなさい。
（5）本文の内容と一致するものを全て選びなさい。
a. ペニシリンは1928年に発見された
b. 抗生物質耐性は自然界では起こらない人為的な現象である
c. 家畜への抗生物質投与は成長促進のためにも行われている
d. ファージ療法はバクテリアを攻撃するウイルスを使う治療法である
（6）この文章全体を80字以内で要約しなさい。
模範解答を見る ▼
【模範解答】
各段落のキーワードメモ：
– 第1段落：耐性菌問題の概要
– 第2段落：耐性メカニズム（自然選択）
– 第3段落：被害の規模（死亡者数）
– 第4段落：農業の責任
– 第5段落：対策（啓発・規制・病院）
– 第6段落：新薬開発の遅れと代替アプローチ
設問の解答：
（1）細菌集団が抗生物質にさらされると大部分は死ぬが、遺伝的変異により生き残る少数の細菌がいる。これらの耐性菌が繁殖して耐性遺伝子を次世代に伝え、時間とともに耐性株が優勢になり抗生物質の効果が失われる。このプロセスは自然に起こるが、抗生物質の過剰使用により劇的に加速される。
（2）約127万人。第3段落 “approximately 1.27 million deaths” が根拠。
（3）多くの国で家畜に対して病気の治療目的だけでなく、成長促進や過密な飼育環境での疾病予防のために抗生物質が日常的に投与されている。これにより膨大な数の細菌が抗生物質にさらされ、耐性が発達する理想的な条件が生まれる。
（4）
– 理由：製薬会社がより利益の高い薬剤カテゴリーに焦点を移したため。1980年代以降、新しいクラスの抗生物質はほとんど発見されていない。
– 対策：政府や国際機関が研究助成金・税額控除・購入保証契約などの経済的インセンティブを設けている。また、ファージ療法や抗菌ペプチドなどの代替アプローチも研究されている。
（5）正解：a、c、d
– a：本文 “the discovery of penicillin in 1928” → 正解
– b：本文 “This process occurs naturally” → 自然にも起こる → 不正解
– c：本文 “to promote growth and prevent disease” → 正解
– d：本文 “phage therapy, which uses naturally occurring viruses that attack bacteria” → 正解
（6）要約例：抗生物質の過剰使用により耐性菌が急増し年間127万人が死亡しているが、新薬開発は停滞しており、農業での使用制限や代替療法の研究など多面的な対策が急務である。（77字）
ポイント（速読のコツ㉗）：
– 因果関係が複雑な文章では、「原因→メカニズム→結果→対策」の4段階 を意識しよう。この文章なら「過剰使用（原因）→ 自然選択による耐性獲得（メカニズム）→ 死亡者増加（結果）→ 規制・新薬開発（対策）」。4段階の流れが見えれば、どんな設問にも対応できる。
【練習問題】以下の英文を6分〜8分以内に読み、設問に答えなさい。
英文：
Mental health among university students has become a growing concern worldwide. A large-scale survey conducted across 26 countries found that approximately one in three university students reported symptoms of a mental health disorder, with anxiety and depression being the most common. The transition from high school to university, academic pressure, financial stress, and social isolation are among the factors contributing to this crisis.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly worsened the situation. Lockdowns and the shift to online learning eliminated many of the social interactions and support systems that students rely on. A study published in 2021 found that rates of depression among university students doubled compared to pre-pandemic levels. Many students reported feelings of loneliness, hopelessness, and difficulty concentrating on their studies during this period.
Universities are responding with expanded mental health services, including online counseling platforms, peer support programs, and wellness workshops. Some institutions have introduced mental health days, allowing students to take time off for their psychological well-being without academic penalty. Training programs for faculty and staff help them recognize signs of distress in students and refer them to appropriate resources.
However, significant barriers to accessing mental health support remain. Long waiting lists for counseling services, stigma surrounding mental illness, and a shortage of trained counselors are common problems. Cultural factors can also play a role, as students from certain backgrounds may be reluctant to seek professional help due to family expectations or cultural attitudes toward mental health.
Addressing the mental health crisis requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond individual treatment. Universities must create campus environments that promote well-being, reduce unnecessary stress, and foster genuine social connections. National governments should increase funding for mental health services and research. Ultimately, destigmatizing mental health issues and normalizing help-seeking behavior are essential steps toward ensuring that all students have the support they need to thrive.
設問：
（1）世界の大学生の約何割がメンタルヘルス障害の症状を報告しているか。
（2）メンタルヘルス支援へのアクセスを阻む障壁を3つ挙げなさい。
（3）この文章全体を80字以内で要約しなさい。
練習問題の解答を見る ▼
【練習問題 解答】
設問の解答：
（1）約3割（3人に1人）。第1段落 “approximately one in three” が根拠。
（2）①カウンセリングサービスの長い待ち時間、②メンタルヘルスに関する偏見（スティグマ）、③訓練されたカウンセラーの不足。
（3）要約例：大学生のメンタルヘルス問題はパンデミックで悪化し3人に1人が症状を報告しているが、支援アクセスの障壁もあり、環境整備と偏見の解消を含む包括的対策が不可欠である。（79字）