Harding argues for the social effects on health, especially the benefits of people demonstrating their care. She argues that this is a crucial determinant on health. She draws on her experience as a doctor, her own research and interviews. 

Some of the results are surprising: the extent to which just experiencing human touch on a regular basis can make a difference to health, for example. Harding also claims that medical care tends to make little difference to overall life span, which certainly goes against a lot of common beliefs about medicine. Other results, such as focusing on a medical problem without addressing their other self-defeating behavior of the patient will not have much effect, are less surprising. 

Harding presents her information as if it is all uncontroversial, while there are debates about the importance of social versus biological factors for health. If one followed her general drift, one would expect that giving free hugs would be more effective than prescribing medication. But making successful improvements to health via a social approach isn’t so simple. 

Harding’s approach can seem especially idealistic when it comes to the benefits of social justice. It makes sense that people will benefit from help and better health care, but Harding argues that social justice is necessary for health. If she is right, we will probably remain unhealthy in the US for a long time.

The most convincing parts of the book are those that link stress and trauma to medical problems. Harding goes over many aspects of these, documenting effects and giving examples.

The writing in the book is straightforward and in the audiobook, performed by the author, Harding is personable and empathetic. 

Christian Perring teaches Philosophy in NY.

Categories: General

Keywords: kindness, health