MEDLIFE 101
What do the letters in MEDLIFE stand for?
Medicine, Education, and Development for Low-Income Families Everywhere
This muscular organ pumps blood throughout the human body.
heart
Medical prefix meaning "blood."
Hemo- (or hem-)
The term for a worldwide spread of a new disease over a vast geographic area.
Pandemic
What is the first and most important step to preventing the spread of germs and getting rid of bacteria on your hands?
Washing your hands with soap and water.
What are the three core pillars of the MEDLIFE movement?
Global health equity, community development, and education
These vital organs are responsible for exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide during respiration.
Lungs
Medical suffix that translates to "inflammation."
-itis
This common viral illness is often called the "stomach flu," though it is not actually influenza, and causes vomiting and diarrhea.
Gastroenteritis (or stomach bug)
What is the name of the sticky, colorless film of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth and can cause cavities if not brushed away?
Plaque
What does SLT stand for in the context of traveling with MEDLIFE?
Service Learning Trip
As the body's largest internal organ, it performs over 500 vital functions including detoxification and filtering blood.
Liver
The medical term for high blood pressure.
Hypertension
This very contagious viral infection causes an itchy, blister-like rash all over the body.
Chickenpox
What common term describes the body's natural defense system that fights off infections, viruses, and illnesses?
The immune system.
What is the overarching mission and goal of MEDLIFE?
To help low-income families achieve freedom from the constraints of poverty and empower them to live healthier lives.
This specialized type of blood cell is responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.
Red blood cell (erythrocyte)
This prefix means "heart."
Cardio-
This common viral infection of the nose and throat is the leading reason adults miss work and children miss school.
Common cold
What is the medical term for a break or crack in a bone?
A fracture.
What is the name of MEDLIFE's monthly giving program that funds year-round projects and patient care?
Moving Mountains
This specific part of the human brain controls balance, coordination, and fine motor skills.
Cerebellum
The clinical term for a decrease in the number of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood.
Anemia
Also known as the "flu," this contagious respiratory illness is caused by influenza viruses and comes on much more suddenly than a common cold.
Influenza
What essential nutrient, primarily absorbed from sunlight and certain foods, is crucial for building strong bones and teeth?
Vitamin D.