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Comment by _heimdall | Hacker News Reader

> It actually proves we would be better off if we spent less and focused on lifestyle.

Speaking purely anecdotally, I can 100% get behind this. I live in a more rural area, work outside regularly, and a large majority of what I eat is either grown locally (without pesticides/herbicides) or I grow it myself. I haven't been to a doctor in 7 or 8 years and am in better shape, and feel better, than I ever have.

Its amazing the difference fresh air, fresh food, and time working in the sun and dirt can make.

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How old are you?

I work from home, sit on my ass all day, love to eat processed foods and also haven't been to the doctor in 7+ years but feel great. But I'm (just) under 40.

A lot of stuff doesn't catch up to you until you're older.

I’m 51 and I’m healthier than I was 20 years ago because I improved my nutrition and started moving my body on a regular basis. I go to the doctor about once a year for a physical and I actually had a provider tell me recently that she rarely sees someone my age as healthy as I am.

I’m 56 and have almost never gone to a doctor in my life other than in recent years for routine checkups and blood tests for prostate cancer (family history). Never been on meds (maybe antibiotics briefly once many years ago?). Lived most of my life outside the US though, and have always focused on a healthy lifestyle. I might just be genetically lucky but I’m convinced lifestyle has a lot to do with it (and not waiting to switch to a healthy lifestyle in your 40s)

I'm also almost 40.

It absolutely could make no difference in the long run, though I do know quite a few people in our age group (including siblings) already dealing with an assortment of health issues, regular doc visits, medications, etc.

I mean, not being sick enough to need a doctor for 7 or 8 years is super common for people in cities too. And rural living people do get diseases and injuries requiring doctors too.

Well that is partly why I made clear that I was just sharing my anecdotal experience, everyone is different and there is no one miracle cure.

Though I would find it hard to believe that fresh air, fresh food, and a bit of time working outside each day would make anyone's health worse.

Injuries and trauma care in general are absolutely a different story. While I am less certain about the net positive of many modern treatments that only treat symptoms and ignore root causes, modern trauma care seems to have a massive pile of evidence showing how beneficial it is.

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