‘I am old enough to die’: Barbara Ehrenreich questions our longevity obsession

Summary

In an interview discussing her book 'Natural Causes,' author Barbara Ehrenreich challenges the societal obsession with wellness and life extension. She critiques the excessive focus on preventive medical tests and gym routines, suggesting that this preoccupation with prolonging life often detracts from actually living it. Ehrenreich advocates for a more balanced approach, acknowledging the inevitability of aging and death, and calls for a societal conversation that addresses these taboos, especially considering the disparities in healthcare access across different social classes.

Takeaways

• 📚 A new book called 'Natural Causes' examines society's obsession with wellness and longevity.
• 👩‍💼 The author, Barbara Ehrenreich, questions modern health practices and the culture surrounding them.
• 🔍 Ehrenreich criticizes the extensive focus on preventive medical tests for healthy individuals.
• 💪 Despite maintaining a gym routine herself, Ehrenreich does it for immediate well-being, not for longevity.
• 🍽 She advocates for enjoying life, like eating foods deemed unhealthy, rather than fixating on health.
• 🧠 The book challenges the notion that individuals can fully control their aging and health outcomes.
• 🌍 Ehrenreich highlights external factors like environmental pollutants that affect health beyond personal control.
• 👥 The book discusses societal and class issues, emphasizing disparities in access to healthcare.
• 💬 Ehrenreich calls for more open conversations about the inevitability of death.
• 🏥 She critiques the healthcare system's focus on overtesting insured individuals while neglecting the needs of the uninsured.

Q & A

What is the main theme of Barbara Ehrenreich's book 'Natural Causes'?

The main theme of 'Natural Causes' is to question the modern obsession with wellness and extending life, suggesting that we might be better off accepting the inevitability of death and focusing on living our lives.

What does Barbara Ehrenreich criticize about modern medical practices?

Barbara Ehrenreich criticizes the extensive preventive tests and procedures that are often performed on healthy individuals, suggesting that these practices can be more about prolonging life than actually living it.

Why does Ehrenreich say she wouldn't go through cancer treatments if diagnosed now?

Ehrenreich states that she is 'old enough to die' and wouldn't go through cancer treatments again because she has already experienced it and believes in living her remaining life without the stress of such treatments.

What personal approach to fitness does Ehrenreich describe?

Ehrenreich goes to the gym not to prolong her life but because it makes her feel good and prevents her from getting cranky. She does it for immediate well-being rather than long-term health benefits.

How does Ehrenreich view the societal pressure to maintain health and wellness?

Ehrenreich sees societal pressure to maintain health and wellness as a source of anxiety for many people, making it feel more like work and adding stress to their lives.

What does Ehrenreich say about the inevitability of death?

Ehrenreich emphasizes that death is inevitable, and no amount of health measures can prevent it. She advocates for a more open conversation about this taboo subject.

How does Ehrenreich link wellness with societal and class issues?

Ehrenreich links wellness to societal and class issues by highlighting the disparities between the working class and the elite in terms of access to health care and the overemphasis on wellness among the insured, while many can't afford basic medical treatments.

What example does Ehrenreich give to illustrate the disparity in health care access?

Ehrenreich gives the example of children dying because their parents can't afford a dentist to pull an infected tooth, contrasting this with the overtesting of insured individuals.

What does Ehrenreich suggest about the impact of self-help books on aging?

Ehrenreich criticizes self-help books on 'successful aging' for promoting the idea that individuals are solely responsible for their health as they age, which she believes is misleading and unfair.

What does Ehrenreich believe should be rethought in terms of national priorities?

Ehrenreich believes that national priorities should be rethought to address the overemphasis on testing and wellness for the insured while neglecting the basic health needs of the underprivileged.