▶ Your Answer :
The letter contends that people should take moving to small town into consideration to seek longer and healthier lives. The argument depends on the evidence that the relaxed pace of life in small communities increase dweller’s longevity and improve their health condition. However, some additional details may be needed to determine whether living in large cities undermine inhabitants’ health condition. First of all, the letter cites the report on the number of days of sick leave taken by individual workers in Leeville and Masonton to support its argument. In doing so, it supposes that the number of days of sick leave taken by workers reflects their health condition. However, utilizing sick leave can rather contribute to preventing workers from having severe illness, which can improve workers’ health condition in the long run. Consider that workers inhabiting metropolis do regular medical check in large hospital during sick leave. In such a case, they can keep their corporal soundness, which can lead to healthier life of workers in large cities although their total number of days of sick leave is more than that of workers in small towns. The data would be more relevant if it suggests the result of studies together which implies that the number of days of sick leave has positive correlation with worker’s health condition. Secondly, the letter mentions the proportion of the number of physician per one thousand resident to substantiate its claim. It thereby assumes that there are less physicians in the small town because the workers do not need them owing to their superior fitness. However, the proportion of the number of doctors per inhabitants do not necessarily signify that workers living in the town with less doctors are healthier than workers living in the town with more doctors. For example, as in South Korea, doctors might be reluctant to work in the small town because of low salary, poor social infrastructure, and so on. In this case, the proportion just represents the inferior medical environment in Leeville. The argument would be more convincing if work conditions for doctors are put into consideration. In the summation, the strength of the statement depends on many variables unaccounted for in the letter, the result of which renders the argument less convincing. |