This book takes a look at health issues. Professor Devi Sridhar tells what the government should be doing to make our population more healthy. Some of the suggestions are highlighted. It's not just about health. IN America she talks about how easy it is to have firearms and the mass killings, especially in schools. In other parts of the world she talks about how not everybody has access to clean water. This is an interesting and informative read.

Published 12th June 2025

I would like to thank #NetGalley #PenguinGeneralUK and the author #DeviSridhar for my ARC of #HowNotToDieTooSoon in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this book, so much information presented in an easy to understand way. I read this book slowly so that I could absorb and reflect on it. There were things I needed reminding of and new information for me, some of which I was surprised and shocked by.

Sridar is an acclaimed public health researcher and writer with other publications already out, a colum in a national paper and a sideline in personal training. Here she gives us her take on the ten things that we can do to prolong our lives naturally and how actually most of it isn't down to personal judgement and strength of mind but is affected by government policies, whether that's taking more exercise (hard to do if you live somewhere hot with few indoor exercise facilities), eating right (but what if you live in a food desert?), drinking enough water (but what if government ignores water companies pumping sewage into public waterways?) and avoiding car accidents (if there's a public transport infrastructure you can trust and the rich don't get away with mowing down the poor).

A lot of our outcomes are to do with where we happened to be born, and some seem to see accidents as unchangeable and healthy/unhealthy countries as always having been like that - but Japan sorted out its polluted air and Sweden got down its car accidents, Kenya has improved road safety outside schools, and Amsterdam didn't used to have that many bicycles.

Mental health is included, too, and the idea of having basic counsellors put forward, as well as the need to remove stigma. And of course inequalities here and in all the other areas that are down to race, class and wealth or the lack of it are covered intensively.

She ends up with five basic policy areas we can lobby our governments on - wherever we are - in this generally positive and very readable book that does have some shocking statistics. And as a definite take-away from this book I've started to get up and move, even a little bit, every 30 minutes that I am sat down.

Blog review published 13 June 2025: https://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2025/06/13/book-reviews-books-on-improving-your-health-by-devi-sridhar-and-kathy-bauernfeind/

I thought it was a really interesting exposition of all the things that government should do to ensure healthy populations. There could, potentially, have been a little bit more about the stuff that you can do yourself (rather than lobby for) but given the public health focus, it did make sense not to!

An information-packed overview of some of the major factors which affect populations around the globe's likelihoods of reaching the age of 100.

Whilst there was a lot of information to take in, Sridhar carefully construed the facts in easily digestible language and explained the benefits and risk factors for each set of facts. I came away feeling very well informed on what can be done on an individual level as well as what politicians need to do at a societal level to improve the life expectancy of everyone.

A single star knocked off for some of the facts being presented in incidence counts as opposed to per capita as it doesn't really make the data comparable. I also think the language around suicide could have been more sensitive, the term "committed suicide" perpetuates stigma surrounding suicide and mental health. "Deaths from suicide" or similar seem more appropriate when discussing mental health service failings.

Interesting book that breaks down the topic in different topics. My main issue is the way the prose flows,

A most interesting and quite different read. Would definitely recommend. Hopefully there will be more by this author.

This was an interesting book setting out differences in global health policies, both good and bad, and what countries can learn from each other to support their citizens. Not taking away from the fact that individuals also have a responsibility to maintain their health, Ms Sridhar pointed out in an easy to read style how difficult this can be when basics such as air and water are polluted. Unsurprisingly it's quite a political book and I imagine not everyone will agree with her possible solutions,, but having a conversation is a start. I did feel I was already aware of much of the information in the book, but it was helpful to have it laid out in one place
Thank you to netgalley and penguin books for an advance copy of this book.

An interesting book. The writing is somewhat simplistic in style, but the information is clear and easy to follow. I don't always agree with the author (her view that the NHS needs more money is debatable) but it was interesting to compare different approaches to healthcare across the world.

Sridhar’s advice and compilation of best public/collective health advice is an excellent book for those who have not widely read about health, the credible, repeated studies on longevity and what makes for better health.
It is easy to follow and well structured.
The tone was a little off for my tastes.
I have widely read about the topics above, but still benefited from reading this book.

How Not To Die ( too soon ) by Devi Sridhar

This is a very interesting book , it talks of health for the nation's of the world and gives further info on World health.
I'm of an age now where I'm reaping what I've sowed with regard to my own health and it was interesting to see that as a global situation as well .
Worth a read .

How Not to Die (Too Soon) is packed with information on public health issues. I'm not sure it flows very well as a book. It has a jumpy, digressive style (it feels more like a lot of newspaper columns stitched together, or a ghost-written book based on taped interviews). However as a work of reference, or a book to dip into, it will be very useful.

I'm just a general reader who takes an interest in public health and popular science and a lot of the material was familiar to me. But if you're coming to this subject for the first time, it provides a good overview, and if you already have some knowledge of the ideas, it will give you the evidence to back them up.

How Not to Die (Too Soon) by Devi Sridhar is a fascinating and thought-provoking book that completely changes the perspective on human health and who is responsible for protecting it. At a time when discussions about the next pandemic feel ever-present, its message could not be more timely.

Rather than focusing on individual health optimisation, the book highlights the wider issue of global public health and the role of governments in shaping policies that can extend lifespans. It challenges the obsession with personal well-being, arguing that real change comes from holding those in power accountable.

This is a compelling and, at times, unsettling read that serves as both a call to action and an insight into how different countries approach public health. While it offers hope by showcasing what can be learned from nations that do things better, it is also a reminder that there is still much work to be done.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

I liked the way that this was structured, and the focus on collective and social environments, rather than the person. I also loved the discussion about bringing lay therapy into the general community so that mental health is less medicalised and less in hospitals and GP surgeries.

In this book Devi Sridhar provides an easy to read portrayal of global public health in the 21st century. It is readable, compelling and, in some cases, such as the chapter on gun control, really shocking, though I don’t expect the USA to take a blind bit of notice as they take pride in taking the number 1 spot in everything! The main criticism I have is in the way the book presents statistics. In some chapters one country’s stats might be presented in absolute figures, another country in percentages and another on a per capita basis, making comparisons either difficult to work out or impossible.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

This book focuses on how to live longer, “We tend to take our health for granted until faced with death” says the book’s author. Governments bear some accountability for policies that can significantly expand our lifespan. This vital transformational guide is a treasure chest of empirical evidence, fascinating challenge and thought provocation. A timely diamond, How Not to Die (Too Soon) weaves public health, personal stories and individual health to societal accountability. Devi Sridhar shifts the dial ànd our minds in a life changing direction that will shape the future for good. He zooms in on the lies we’ve been sold ànd the policies that could save us. “I am living longer because of political choices more than half a century ago, Life expectancy is tightly linked to where you live and the political choices made by your government “ says Devi

This is a great book. Focusing on collective health rather than what you can do as an individual to live longer. It’s a call to arms in some ways and also a scary insight into global public health. The message is of hope - some countries do things better than others and we should learn from each other. It’s also a reminder how lucky I am in many ways, but things could definitely be better. Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for the ARC.