APStylebook on Twitter: “In AP style, it’s health care, two words with no hyphen, in all uses.
Contents
- 1 Is healthcare one word or two in APA Style?
- 2 Is it ap style or AP style?
- 3 Is there a space in healthcare?
- 4 Does Healthcare have a hyphen?
- 5 Is University capitalized AP style?
- 6 What does AP style look like?
- 7 Does every media outlet use AP style?
- 8 Is healthcare all one word?
- 9 What is the health care?
- 10 Is healthcare a human right?
- 11 How do you use health care in a sentence?
- 12 Is child care one word or two words?
- 13 What’s the difference between healthcare and medical care?
Is healthcare one word or two in APA Style?
To put it more simply, Dr. Waldman writes: “Health care—two words—refers to provider actions. Healthcare—one word—is a system.
2020 (latest public modern ed.) The AP Stylebook, also known by its full name The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law, is an American English grammar style and usage guide created by American journalists working for or connected with the Associated Press.
Is there a space in healthcare?
health care and are now only using it as one word, without the space. For example, the Associated Press, or AP style, is still using health care, while many government websites are using healthcare vs.
Does Healthcare have a hyphen?
The MLA Style Center The MLA primarily follows Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary for spelling, so we spell health care as two words when it is used as a noun, and we hyphen it as an adjective —for example, health-care costs (“Health Care”).
Is University capitalized AP style?
Capitalize all the main words in the names of universities and colleges in sentences, including words such as university, college, and institute.
What does AP style look like?
Generally speaking, AP style uses title case for headlines, which means all words are capitalized except for certain short words, such as articles and short prepositions. In AP style, headlines capitalize the first word, proper names, or proper abbreviations, verbs, pronouns, adjectives, and adverbs.
Does every media outlet use AP style?
Many newspapers, magazines and public relations offices across the United States use AP style. Although some publications such as the New York Times have developed their own style guidelines, a basic knowledge of AP style is considered essential to those who want to work in print journalism.
Is healthcare all one word?
Dictionaries: The two most authoritative dictionaries for the English language – Merriam-Webster and Oxford English – have consensus that health care is two-words when used as a noun.
What is the health care?
Health care (also health-care or healthcare) is the maintenance or improvement of health via the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, amelioration, or cure of disease, illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in people. Health care is delivered by health professionals and allied health fields.
Is healthcare a human right?
Universal access to health care, without discrimination, is a human right enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
How do you use health care in a sentence?
Health systems — we have a national health service with trained doctors and other health care providers. Efforts to formalize the health care language must take account of the highly dynamic state of health care terminology. More investment doesn’t necessarily equate with better health care.
Is child care one word or two words?
Child care is the American English spelling. Childcare is the British English spelling.
What’s the difference between healthcare and medical care?
Hands down. However, medical care probably constitutes only 10% – 20% of health outcomes. Health care is a much broader idea of which medical care is only a subset and constitutes the remaining 80-90% of health outcomes. We will continue to coordinate care among specialists and other players in your medical care.
Healthcare is such a popular topic of discussion. Whether you are talking about your recent visit to the doctor or new political policies related to affordable and universal healthcare, it’s simply a topic you can’t avoid in today’s social climate.
Health care is two words when using it as a noun to talk about a provider’s direct actions. However, when talking about the system or field encompassing medicine, it is one word. “Healthcare” is also a one word adjective to describe individuals in the industry.
Keep reading to uncover all the essential details for using “healthcare” correctly.
What Does “Healthcare” Mean?
“Healthcare” as one word is the noun to describe the business of providing medical services. “Health care” as two words is a noun phrase that describes the act of giving medical treatment.
Both forms of “healthcare” consist of two words, “health” and “care.” “Health” is a noun that refers to the general condition or state of the body or an adjective to describe something relating to the general condition or state of the body (source).
“Care” is also a noun referring to the process of protecting someone or something, in this case, your health (source). Combine them to get “healthcare, ” which means protecting your body’s general condition.
Both “healthcare” and “health care” are related to protecting your body’s conditions, whether it’s referencing the services that help with this or the specific actions you should take. But whether or not the term has a space or not affects its semantic meaning.
“Healthcare” is a noun (purple) or adjective (dark blue) that refers explicitly to the business of medical services or the health industry as a whole (source). This includes discussing a doctor’s office, the hospital, or other health services as a whole.
- The healthcare industry is becoming more innovative.
- I need to understand healthcare services more.
- Healthcare is a hot political topic.
“Health care” is a noun pair that refers to the acts of treatment within the health industry and the people who provide it. This includes doctors, dentists, nurses, and therapists. They care for your health, or in other words, do the act of health care.
- My doctor recommended some medications for my health care.
Here, the sentence uses “health care” instead of “healthcare” because it refers to a specific action – taking medication – that will help with your health care. “Healthcare” refers to a business or service you are visiting to get that recommendation eventually.
How Do You Use “Healthcare”?
“Healthcare” as one word is a noun since it refers to an industry and the services it provides. It can also be an adjective to describe the individuals in the field. “Health care” is only a noun phrase and functions as such.
“Healthcare” is a noun, meaning you use it the way you would a person, place, or thing within a sentence. Commonly, “healthcare” precedes a verb. Frequently, when using “healthcare” verbally, people follow it with “industry” (making “healthcare” an adjective to “industry”) to clarify their meaning, although this is not required.
For example, here is “healthcare” as an adjective (dark blue), direct object (dark green), and a subject (purple):
- The healthcare industry in America is privately owned and hard to navigate.
- My insurance covers healthcare in different states.
- Healthcare is challenging to cover across state lines.
In the first sentence, “healthcare” is an adjective to talk about the industry. In the second sentence, “healthcare” is a noun that functions as a direct object, something that my insurance covers. In the final example, “healthcare” is a noun subject.
You use “health care” as a noun when talking about individuals in the industry and the care of your health as a thing rather than an action (source). For example, the doctor practices “health care.”
- Providing health care to one’s patients can be challenging at times.
When Can You Use “Healthcare”?
You can use “healthcare” in many cases. “Healthcare” is for any time you reference the industry. This includes services or industries that work in health care. But, you use “health care” when discussing things you have done to care for your health or people who have cared for your health.
Usually, people use “healthcare” when trying to be abstract in what they are talking about. We see this most in the political sphere.
Many policies and laws make changes to healthcare accessibility within the United States. Instead of saying specificities like Obamacare or Medicare, people simply say “healthcare” to encompass everything within the medical industry.
- I heard they are talking about healthcare again at the White House.
In the same vein, “health care” is correct when talking about the act of caring for your health. “Health care” is an open compound word combining the noun “health” and the verb “to care.” The compound works to describe the act of caring for your health.
- I engaged in health care this morning when I brushed my teeth.
- My doctor helps my health care by prescribing medication for pain.
“Health care” can also apply to mental health. Your therapist helps with your “mental health care” by listening to what you have to say.
Many people have defensive social tactics to protect their “mental health.” Unfortunately, this is a usage many people forget about or don’t use regularly, but it is still grammatically correct.
In What Context Can You Use “Healthcare”?
“Healthcare” has a variety of contexts in which we use it. The main idea is when you speak of anything relating to medical needs, whether treatment, an appointment, or politics, such as universal healthcare.
When people use “healthcare,” they often talk about the industry or its politics. For example, if you are speaking to your friends about plans after college, you may say something like:
- I am pre-med because I hope to work in healthcare one day.
“Health care,” however, has a very different context. People use this term when talking about caring for their health on a personal level. For example, if you were talking to someone about your standard hygiene routine, you might say:
- My daily health care includes brushing my teeth and taking medication.
Using “Healthcare” in a Full Sentence
As a noun, you can place “healthcare” anywhere a noun can stand in a sentence. This includes acting as subject, direct object, indirect object, the object of a preposition, or subject complement. You may also use “healthcare” as an adjective, as in “healthcare provider.”
Here are some examples of how to use “healthcare” in a full sentence:
- The healthcare system is not helpful in my country.
- I disapprove of our healthcare.
- My mother covers my grandmother’s healthcare.
- My sister wants to work in the healthcare industry one day.
- The politics of healthcare are so confusing.
- Healthcare is such an exciting industry; it changes every day.
When Not to Use “Healthcare”
There are a few times when you should not use “healthcare.” Included in this are times you refer to a specific person or when talking about your health.
When you talk about a specific person, such as your doctor or dentist, you should not use “healthcare” alone. Instead, you can say “healthcare provider” to talk about them and what they do for you.
You should also not use “healthcare” when talking about your health. It should mean the industry that helps you take care of your health. If you want to talk about your individual health and what you do to take care of it, use “health care.”
It’s also essential to avoid “healthcare” when discussing politics unrelated to the industry or insurance usage. Many broadly use “healthcare” to refer to anything within the political sphere of health, but such usage is incorrect.
“Healthcare” within politics refers explicitly to the industry of medical services and the policies that apply to it, not the policies that apply to all health-related topics.
What Can You Use Instead of “Healthcare”?
“Healthcare” is a tricky word to find an alternative for, but there still exist synonyms you can use instead of “healthcare.” These include the medical industry, primary care, and wellness.
Since “healthcare” relates to the services the health industry provides, one of the best things to do when looking for other words is to get specific. For example, you can say “doctor appointment” or “health services” instead. Or, even more specifically, you can name the profession or service you think of instead of saying “healthcare.”
- I am hoping to work in dentistry when I am older.
Additionally, instead of using “health care” to reference the act of caring for your health, you can continue to be specific by naming treatments or advice that your doctor has given you. Talk about what you did this morning to take care of your health rather than broadly saying you engaged in “health care.”
- My doctor said I need to start taking more showers.
But there are also plenty of broad synonyms you can use as well. “Wellness” is a term that encompasses a lot more than just routine medical things, such as massages, mental health appointments, and more. However, you can still use it as a synonym for “healthcare” (source).
- For my wellness, I need to take some time off work.
“Primary care” is another popular alternate term for physicians that are your primary source of healthcare services.
- My primary care provider is Dr. Smith.
Open, Closed, and Hyphenated Compounds
In English, compound words have three forms: open, closed, and hyphenated. They are all a combination of two existing words put together to describe something different.
Open compounds are two words that have a space between them but together mean something different than if they were standing alone in a sentence. So, for example, “school” as an education building, and “bus” as a vehicle, can come together to make a “school bus,” which is a yellow bus that transports students.
Closed compounds are similar to open ones but do not have a space in between them. An example of a closed compound would be “fireman.” “Fire” is the sparks and flames that burn, and “man” is the human being.
However, when you put them together, you get a different meaning. “Fireman” means a person that is responsible for dealing with fires. Closed compounds take the combined meanings of the two words and change them slightly, so they relate to each other.
Some words can be open or closed compounds, like summertime, but how it’s written changes the meaning. For example, “Summer Time” means British Daylight Savings time, but “summertime” means the season of summer.
Read more about open and closed compounds in these two articles: Is “Summertime” One Word or Two? and Is “Timeframe” One Word or Two?
And finally, hyphenated compounds are two words that have been put together with a dash in between them. A typical example of this is “six-pack.” It turns two nouns, “six” and “pack,” into a noun or a hyphenated adjective that modifies the new noun, such as abs or a pack of soda.
- She worked hard for months to get six-pack abs.
- Dave brought a six-pack to the game.
Hyphenated compounds are only hyphenated if they are a noun typically written that way or a multiple-word adjective that comes before the noun it modifies. If a multiple-word adjective is hyphenated before a noun, there will be no hyphens after the noun.
- The up-to-date system is working well.
- The new system is up to date and working well.
This article was written for strategiesforparents.com.
These have dashes because, rather than simply combining the meaning of the two words to reference a new noun, hyphenated compounds change the meaning of the words into something new entirely.
Final Thoughts
The question of whether “healthcare” is one word or two is a complicated answer. In short, it is both, depending on what you want to say. When referring to the industry, it is one word. When referring to the action of providing care for your health, it is two words. The same goes for referring to your health care as a concept rather than an effort.
In reality, this matters most when you are writing. When talking in English, they sound the same, and context clues help the listener understand your meaning. As long as you can provide some context to the purpose of your statements, native speakers will understand you.
It is an age-old debate: is healthcare one word or two words? The answer to this question is not as simple as it may seem. While there are many opinions on the matter, it is important to examine the facts and context of each situation before making a decision.
Language is constantly evolving, so when faced with such a topic, it’s important to consider both traditional grammar rules and current usage.
As debate continues to rage over the correct spelling of the term “healthcare,” it is worth considering whether two words or one comprise this important topic. Does “healthcare” represent a single concept, or should it be written out as two separate words?
In this article, we will examine the various interpretations and implications of using one word or two when writing about healthcare. We will also consider some of the common arguments from both sides of the debate.
Historical Usage: Two Words
The Oxford English Dictionary lists healthcare as one word, but this does not necessarily mean that everyone should use it that way. Merriam-Webster and the AP Stylebook both agree that historically, the correct form of the term was and still is two words: health care.
Many publications have also chosen to stick with this usage – even if they are deviating from what dictionaries say – because it reflects the traditional form of writing on a subject matter.
Ultimately, when deciding which version to use in your own writing, it comes down to personal preference and context.
Technical Spelling: One Word
Is healthcare one word or two words? The debate has been going on for years. Now, with the rise of digital media and information technology, it’s easier than ever to get an answer.
The short answer is that healthcare is technically spelled as one word. This is the preferred spelling of medical dictionaries and style guides in the United States.
Even though some organizations may choose to use two words when writing about health care, they aren’t wrong; it just isn’t considered technical “correct” spelling by most people in the field. In general, if you are writing a formal document related to healthcare or medicine, use the single-word version: healthcare.
Context Matters: Varies
It can be confusing for many people to know whether the term “health care” is one word or two. The answer is that it depends on context.
In certain contexts, such as when a writer is using AP style or in headlines, health care is often written as two words. However, in other contexts such as when talking about healthcare reform, health care may be written as one word without losing any of its meaning.
This confusion may have been further compounded by the fact that the Oxford English Dictionary now lists “healthcare” as an official entry with both forms being considered acceptable.
Ultimately though, it’s important to consider the context and publication guidelines before deciding which formation should be used when writing about this topic. It’s also worth noting that some publications may even use a mixture of both forms interchangeably depending on their style guide’s preferences.
Grammar Rules: No Clear Answer
When it comes to grammar rules, there is often no clear-cut answer. Such is the case when considering whether healthcare is one word or two words.
The most common usage amongst medical professionals and other related fields is as one word – “healthcare”. But depending on context and preference, some will use two words – “health care”. For example, a doctor may refer to giving “quality health care” while a nurse might talk about working in the “healthcare industry”.
In general, both versions are acceptable for formal writing so long as you are consistent in your choice throughout your document. However, if you want to stay up-to-date with modern conventions in writing style then it may be best to stick with writing healthcare as one word for all types of documents.
Popular Opinion: Debate
The debate about whether the term “healthcare” should be written as one word or two has been a popular opinion among linguists and grammarians for years. While there are many differing opinions on the matter, most experts agree that the correct way to write it is as two words: “health care”.
The phrase “healthcare” began appearing in books, magazines and newspapers around the late 1960s. While some writers used it as one word, others opted to use two separate words. This discrepancy caused confusion both among readers and editors. It wasn’t until around 1990 that major dictionaries began to recognize “healthcare” as an acceptable spelling of the term.
Despite this recognition, there is still no clear consensus today on how to spell out “health care” – with one or two words.
Conclusion: Final Decision
The question of whether one should write healthcare as one word or two has been a popular topic among writers and editors. It is important to understand the conventions of the English language and how they apply in this case.
In general, words that are formed from two separate words are hyphenated when used together; however, there have been exceptions over the years. The answer to this specific query depends on which style guide you follow.
The Associated Press (AP) Stylebook states that healthcare should be written as one word – with no space between “health” and “care” – while other major style guides such as Chicago Manual of Style, MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, and American Psychological Association Publication Manual recommend writing it as two words.
The fact that there is no clear consensus makes it difficult to arrive at a definite conclusion about which way is correct.
Which is correct health care or healthcare?
Both “health care” and “healthcare” are correct. The term “healthcare” is often used as an umbrella term that includes all aspects of health, such as physical, mental, and social well-being. However, the phrase “health care” is more commonly used to refer specifically to medical services and treatments.
Is it health care or healthcare UK?
In the UK, both “health care” and “healthcare” are acceptable terms. Both refer to the same concept – the provision of medical services to individuals and groups. The term “healthcare” is more commonly used in the US, while “health care” is more common in the UK.
How do you spell healthcare UK?
In the United Kingdom, healthcare is spelled “healthcare“.
Is healthcare one word or two Chicago style?
Healthcare is typically one word when written in Chicago style. However, if you are referring to a specific type of healthcare such as mental health care, then the two-word version is preferred.
Is health care written together?
Health care is written as two words: “health” and “care”. It is not written as one word, nor hyphenated.
How is health care written?
Health care is typically written in a clear and concise manner that is easy to understand. This includes using plain language, avoiding medical jargon, and providing detailed explanations of medical terms and treatments. Health care writers also need to be aware of the latest regulations, laws, and standards related to health care in order to provide accurate information.
What is the difference between health and healthcare?
Health is the overall physical and mental state of an individual, while healthcare is the services and products used to promote, maintain, and restore health. Healthcare can include preventative measures such as screenings and vaccinations, as well as treatments for illnesses or injuries. Healthcare also includes access to medical professionals such as doctors, nurses, and other specialists.
A Blogger, Author and Researcher! Gohar Aalam is recognized as a full-time blogger for Health and Tech Niches. I’m a Fountainhead of Gethealthup.com, will provides high quality knowledge.
Table of Contents
- Is copay a word?
- What’s the definition of copay?
- Is a hyphenated word one word or two?
- Is well being hyphenated in APA Style?
- Is wellbeing hyphenated?
- What are the 5 areas of wellbeing?
- Is know how hyphenated?
- Is long term hyphenated?
- Is long term 1 or 2 words?
- Is long term and short term hyphenated?
- What does short term mean?
- What is short term example?
- What do short term effects mean?
- What is a short term problem?
- Why is short term thinking bad?
- What is a short period of time?
- What time range is considered short term?
- How many months is short term?
- What type of word is short term?
- What is between short term and long-term?
- What considered near term?
- How long is long relationship?
- What are long term strategies?
- What are the 4 growth strategies?
- What are the examples of long-term goals?
- What is the key to a long-term IT strategy?
- What are three key components of the strategic IT plan?
- What is strategy alternatives?
- What does a good IT strategy look like?
To put it more simply, Dr. Waldman writes: “Health care—two words—refers to provider actions. Healthcare—one word—is a system.
Is copay a word?
noun. a small fixed amount required by a health insurer to be paid by the insured for each outpatient visit or drug prescription.
What’s the definition of copay?
A fixed amount ($20, for example) you pay for a covered health care service after you’ve paid your deductible. Let’s say your health insurance plan’s allowable cost for a doctor’s office visit is $100. Your copayment for a doctor visit is $20.
Is a hyphenated word one word or two?
The reason is quite simple—the generally accepted rule is that a compound word is always treated as a single word. So, once compound words are closed or hyphenated, they are counted as one word. If the compound word is open, e.g., “post office,” it is counted as two words.
Is well being hyphenated in APA Style?
The hyphenated well-being is the standard form of this noun. The single-word wellbeing and the two-word well being are not accepted variants. Remember that well is an adjective and being is a verb. To form a noun, they must be hyphenated; well-being is not a compound word.
Is wellbeing hyphenated?
Well-being as a hyphenated word is the preferred form in the United States and Canada. Wellbeing as one word with no hyphens is the standard spelling in the United Kingdom, Australia and other English-speaking countries outside of North America.
What are the 5 areas of wellbeing?
5 steps to mental wellbeing
- Connect with other people. Good relationships are important for your mental wellbeing.
- Be physically active. Being active is not only great for your physical health and fitness.
- Learn new skills.
- Give to others.
- Pay attention to the present moment (mindfulness)
Is know how hyphenated?
The word is hyphenated. Always. Maybe you didn’t have the know-how to know how to write know-how. According to my dictionary, know-how goes back to 1838 and means “knowledge of how to do something smoothly and efficiently.”
Is long term hyphenated?
Long-term with a hyphen, as in long-term disability, is the correct form. The confusion probably comes from the fact that a similar adjective, longtime, is now widely accepted in dictionaries and stylebooks as hyphenless. A compound word used as an adjective, a hyphen is needed.
Is long term 1 or 2 words?
When talking about the ‘long term’, we are talking about the noun ‘term’ which is described by the adjective ‘long’. Example: We are planning for the long term. However, when the entire phrase is used to describe something else, a hyphen is used to show this. It’s called a compound adjective.
Is long term and short term hyphenated?
Both ‘long term’ and ‘short term’ have an adjectival form where you must include the hyphen to modify a noun (long-term & short-term).
What does short term mean?
1 : occurring over or involving a relatively short period of time. 2a : of, relating to, or constituting a financial operation or obligation based on a brief term and especially one of less than a year.
What is short term example?
A short-term goal is something you want to accomplish soon. A short term goal is a goal you can achieve in 12 months or less. Examples include: Take a class.
What do short term effects mean?
eh-FEKT) A problem that is caused by treatment of a disease but usually goes away after treatment ends. Short-term side effects of cancer treatment include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hair loss, fatigue, and mouth sores.
What is a short term problem?
A short-term illness goes away quickly, and a short-term problem won’t weigh you down for long. The opposite of short-term is long-term, which refers to things happening for a greater period of time.
Why is short term thinking bad?
Short Term Thinking Means Bad Leadership, Because It Causes Long Term Problems. Short term thinking simply means considering only what is in front of you. Instead of considering the possible impacts of a course of action over the long term, we think about what might happen today, tomorrow or next week.
What is a short period of time?
minute. noun. a short period of time.
What time range is considered short term?
In finance or financial operations of borrowing and investing, what is considered long-term is usually above 3 years, with medium-term usually between 1 and 3 years and short-term usually under 1 year.
How many months is short term?
Short-term policies pay benefits for short periods of time – typically three months, six months, or one year, after a brief waiting (elimination) period.
What type of word is short term?
adjective. covering or applying to a relatively short period of time.
What is between short term and long-term?
Short-term usually involves processes that show results within a year. Companies aim medium-term plans at results that take several years to achieve. Long-term plans include the overall goals of the company set four or five years in the future and usually are based on reaching the medium-term targets.
What considered near term?
The near term is a period of time not far into the future. The term is used to describe events that may occur soon. In finance, the term is often used to explain the timeframe during which an event or change is expected to occur.
How long is long relationship?
two to three years
What are long term strategies?
Parties’ “mid-century long-term low GHG emissions development strategies” or “long-term strategies” are central to achieving the goal of reaching net-zero global emissions, limiting warming, and preventing some of the worst impacts of climate change. …
What are the 4 growth strategies?
The four growth strategies
- Market penetration. The aim of this strategy is to increase sales of existing products or services on existing markets, and thus to increase your market share.
- Market development.
- Product development.
- Diversification.
What are the examples of long-term goals?
30 Long-Term Goal Examples
- Get promoted to a senior position at work.
- Pivot your career into a field you’re passionate about.
- Develop your own career plan.
- Become a thought leader in your industry.
- Master a job-specific skill.
- Determine your dream job and start working towards it.
- Build out your professional network.
What is the key to a long-term IT strategy?
Set Long-Term Goals Every organization must be clear on what IT goals it aspires to achieve – preferably in the longer term; these can range from getting rid of legacy systems, modernizing the website, upgrading/migrating applications, embracing AI, incorporating the latest IT security measures, and so on.
What are three key components of the strategic IT plan?
The key elements of such a plan include your vision and mission statements, detailed goals and objectives, and action plans and scorecards to help you track your progress. Make sure you include each of these key components in order to create a strategic plan that will serve your small business.
What is strategy alternatives?
Strategic alternatives are strategies that a business develops to set the direction, for which human and material resources will be applied, for a greater chance of achieving selected goals, notes iEduNote.
What does a good IT strategy look like?
A great IT strategy, I believe, is one that tells a clear story of where we came from, provides focus on where we intend to go, and connects that to the why. It understands the audience and is specifically relevant to them.
The longer a language is spoken and written, the more it changes. When two-word phrases are used frequently, they often become hyphenated or compounded.
Such is the case with health care. In Western society, health care is one of the primary concerns of day-to-day life for many people. The policies surrounding health care service delivery, and their associated costs, are a large part of the national discourse in many countries.
Some countries have different spelling conventions for these words, depending on how they are used in a sentence. Continue reading to learn about these spelling differences.
In this post, I will compare health care vs. healthcare. I will use each variation in at least one example sentence, so you can see it in its proper context. Plus, I will give you a mnemonic device that will help you choose either healthcare or health care in your own writing.
Is healthcare one word or two? Let’s find out.
When to Use Health Care
What does health care mean? Health care (two words) is a noun. It refers to maintenance of one’s wellbeing, either by medical means or otherwise.
Here are some examples,
- The national debate about health care has reached a fever pitch.
- Health care costs are rising at a rate that is unsustainable for most Americans.
- “Health care is for the unhealthy,” said Greg, who was not known for his wisdom.
- “The positive this time is that consumers have money to spend,” Lundgren said, pointing to robust sales of cars, home improvement and health care. –New York Post
When this term is used as an adjective, it is hyphenated to form health-care, like in the below examples,
- Health-care costs are rising at a rate that is unsustainable for most Americans.
- Sylvia quit her job because she found an employer who offered a better health-care plan.
- U.S. health-care spending grew 4.8 percent last year, as the country has emerged from a period of historically low health spending growth, according to new federal estimates. –The Washington Post
For anyone using AP Style, The AP Stylebook requires health care to be spelled as such: health care.
When to Use Healthcare
What does healthcare mean? Healthcare (one word) is a variant of the same term. It is not yet considered standard, but it is being used more and more often as time progresses.
See the below charts,
This next graph isolates the use of healthcare as an adjective, where it is actually surpasses health-care in popularity,
These data are not exhaustive, and the charts should not be considered scientifically accurate. Still, they illustrate clear usage trends, and healthcare is clearly becoming more popular with each passing year.
Trick to Remember the Difference
Here’s a helpful trick to remember health care vs. healthcare.
For now, healthcare is still not accepted as standard in American English, despite its increasing popularity. At least in formal writing, you will want to stick with health care as a noun and health-care as an adjective for American audiences. As I mentioned above, place like The AP Stylebook still require the two-word health care.
For British audiences, healthcare is an accepted adjective, but health care is still more common as a noun.
Remember that healthcare is a compound adjective in British English, much like another British English adjective, gobsmacked. This memorable term, which is spelled as a single word, should help you remember to spell healthcare as a single-word adjective in British English.
Summary
Is it healthcare or health care? Health care is an incredibly important subject, so it’s best to know how to write about it.
- Health care is a noun that refers to maintenance of one’s wellbeing.
- When used as an adjective, it becomes health-care in American English, and healthcare in British English.
Healthcare and gobsmacked are two British English compound adjectives that are spelled as a single word. Remembering the similarities between these two words will help you remember when to use healthcare, and as what part of speech.
English can be confusing, so don’t forget to check this site any time you have questions. If you are ever stuck choosing health care or healthcare, you can revisit this page for guidance.
Contents
- 1 What is the Difference Between Healthcare and Health Care?
- 2 When to Use Health Care
- 3 When to Use Healthcare
- 4 Trick to Remember the Difference
- 5 Summary