{"version":"https://jsonfeed.org/version/1.1","title":"NoteVida","home_page_url":"https://notevida.com/en/","feed_url":"https://notevida.com/en/feed.json","description":"Practical guides and tools to compare benefits, costs, risks and evidence before deciding.","language":"en","authors":[{"name":"Phạm Xuân Hiếu","url":"https://xuanhieu.org/gioi-thieu/"}],"items":[{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/1-always-wear-seat-belts-both-front-and-back/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/1-always-wear-seat-belts-both-front-and-back/","title":"Always wear seat belts, both front and back","content_text":"Wearing a seat belt in the front seat cuts the risk of dying in a crash by roughly half. For drivers and passengers in light trucks, the reduction is about 60%. Among U.S. crash victims in 2022 whose seat belt use was documented, half were not wearing one.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/2-wearing-a-helmet-and-fastening-the-strap-while-riding/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/2-wearing-a-helmet-and-fastening-the-strap-while-riding/","title":"Wearing a helmet and fastening the strap while riding motorcycles or e-bikes","content_text":"Wearing a helmet and fastening the strap properly reduces a motorcyclist’s risk of dying in an accident by roughly 40%. The chance of suffering a head injury drops by about 70%. The strap must be tightened; a helmet that simply hangs loosely on the head does not count as being worn.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/3-install-smoke-alarms-those-heating-with-coal-or-gas-in/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/3-install-smoke-alarms-those-heating-with-coal-or-gas-in/","title":"Install smoke alarms; those heating with coal or gas in winter should also add a carbon monoxide alarm","content_text":"A properly functioning smoke alarm can cut the risk of dying in a home fire by roughly 60%. Forty percent of fire victims are asleep at the time, so they won’t wake up just from the smell of smoke. For anyone heating their home with coal or gas during winter, adding a carbon monoxide alarm is essential. In China, 11,500 people died from carbon monoxide poisoning in 2018; 70% of those deaths occurred at home during the three winter months.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/4-replace-gas-hoses-and-stoves-when-they-reach-their/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/4-replace-gas-hoses-and-stoves-when-they-reach-their/","title":"Replace gas hoses and stoves when they reach their expiration date; never modify the piping yourself, and you may decline any unsolicited sales pitches from gas companies","content_text":"A compliant gas hose costs just a few dozen yuan. Replacing it when it expires is a user obligation clearly stated in the “Regulations on Urban Gas Management.” The same regulations explicitly forbid users from modifying piping or removing gas meters on their own. Additionally, the regulations state that gas companies cannot require customers to purchase specific products or services. Therefore, you may freely decline any sales pitches claiming that replacement is mandatory.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/5-do-not-pick-buy-or-eat-wild-mushrooms-any-folk-tricks-for/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/5-do-not-pick-buy-or-eat-wild-mushrooms-any-folk-tricks-for/","title":"Do not pick, buy, or eat wild mushrooms; any “folk tricks” for identification are useless","content_text":"In 2025 alone, there were 828 cases of mushroom poisoning across China, affecting 2,165 people, with 13 fatalities. That same year, 34 previously unknown poisonous mushroom species were identified. Myths such as using a silver needle to test for toxicity, assuming mushrooms safe if insects eat them, or that only brightly colored varieties are toxic are all false.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/6-electric-bicycles-must-not-be-pushed-into-stairwells/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/6-electric-bicycles-must-not-be-pushed-into-stairwells/","title":"Electric bicycles must not be pushed into stairwells, elevators, or charged indoors","content_text":"Pushing an electric bike into a stairwell, elevator, or charging it at home is strictly prohibited under the Ministry of Emergency Management’s regulations on fire safety in high-rise residential buildings. Those who violate the rules face fines of $500–$1,000 for individuals and $2,000–$10,000 for businesses. Even these fines are the least of the concerns — the real danger is that a fire could block your only escape route.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/7-measuring-blood-pressure-and-taking-meds-to-reach-target/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/7-measuring-blood-pressure-and-taking-meds-to-reach-target/","title":"Measuring blood pressure and taking meds to reach target levels","content_text":"For every 10 mmHg drop in blood pressure, the risk of major cardiovascular problems falls by 20%, stroke risk drops 27%, heart failure risk drops 28%, and overall mortality risk declines by 13%. Among Chinese adults aged 35–75, 44.7% have hypertension, but only 7.2% have their blood pressure under proper control.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/8-after-age-35-anyone-who-is-overweight-should-get-a-fasting/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/8-after-age-35-anyone-who-is-overweight-should-get-a-fasting/","title":"After age 35, anyone who is overweight should get a fasting blood glucose test; if the result is normal, repeat it every three years","content_text":"For just a few dozen yuan, a single blood test can detect prediabetes even when there are absolutely no symptoms at all. Official US screening guidelines recommend this test for anyone aged 35 to 70 who is overweight or obese. If the test comes back normal, they should repeat it every three years.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/9-don-t-speed-or-drive-after-drinking/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/9-don-t-speed-or-drive-after-drinking/","title":"Don’t speed or drive after drinking","content_text":"On average, for every 1% increase in speed, the chance of a fatal crash rises by roughly 4%. There is no “safe” level of alcohol consumption when it comes to driving; even very low blood alcohol concentrations already raise the risk of accidents.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/10-when-riding-in-a-car-use-a-car-seat-for-children-under-4/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/10-when-riding-in-a-car-use-a-car-seat-for-children-under-4/","title":"When riding in a car, use a car seat for children under 4, don’t hold them in your arms","content_text":"For infants under one year old, using a car seat when riding cuts the risk of a fatal injury in a crash by roughly 70%. For children aged 1 to 4, the risk drops by about half. Holding a child in your arms provides no such protection; in a sudden stop you simply cannot keep them secure.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/11-install-window-guards-and-balcony-barriers-if-you-have-kids/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/11-install-window-guards-and-balcony-barriers-if-you-have-kids/","title":"Install window guards and balcony barriers if you have kids at home; screen windows do not count as protection","content_text":"These window guards cost only a few dozen yuan each. New York City once offered free window guards to high-risk households and provided on-site guidance; as a result, child fall incidents reported in one borough dropped by half over three years. Eventually, New York even passed a law requiring landlords to install such guards in rental units with kids under 10. Screen windows, however, can be easily pushed open — they do not provide any real protection.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/12-keep-young-children-in-sight-near-water-wear-life-jackets/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/12-keep-young-children-in-sight-near-water-wear-life-jackets/","title":"Keep young children in sight near water; wear life jackets when boating or swimming","content_text":"Wearing a life jacket while in the water cuts the risk of drowning to roughly half compared to not wearing one. Drowning remains the leading cause of death among children aged 1–14 in China. The drowning mortality rate in rural areas is roughly twice that in cities.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/13-exercising-balance-and-leg-strength-for-people-over-60-plus/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/13-exercising-balance-and-leg-strength-for-people-over-60-plus/","title":"Exercising balance and leg strength for people over 60, plus home modifications","content_text":"Doing balance exercises such as Tai Chi two or three times weekly can cut the overall number of falls among older adults by roughly 23%. It also reduces the proportion of people who have fallen at least once by about 15%. Adding simple home modifications — like anti-slip mats and handrails — can lower fall rates by another 20% or so. Falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths among Chinese seniors aged 65 and above; alarmingly, over half of all falls happen right at home.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/14-get-tested-for-hepatitis-b-markers-if-no-antibodies-get/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/14-get-tested-for-hepatitis-b-markers-if-no-antibodies-get/","title":"Get tested for hepatitis B markers; if no antibodies, get vaccinated","content_text":"The test itself is very inexpensive. In Qidong’s 30‑year follow‑up study, infants who received the hepatitis B vaccine at birth had an 84% lower risk of developing primary liver cancer and a 72% lower rate of carrying the hepatitis B virus compared to unvaccinated peers. Adults found to have no antibodies should receive three vaccine doses over six months at a cost of roughly 100–300 yuan.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/15-if-you-get-pricked-by-a-nail-or-splinter-or-if-a-wound-gets/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/15-if-you-get-pricked-by-a-nail-or-splinter-or-if-a-wound-gets/","title":"If you get pricked by a nail or splinter, or if a wound gets dirty with soil, seek treatment the same day and ask whether a tetanus shot is needed","content_text":"Once tetanus sets in, about 1 out of every 10 people dies. The risk is highest for deep wounds or wounds contaminated with dirt. If a wound is dirty and it’s been 5 years or more since your last tetanus shot, you’ll need a booster. Getting treated the same day costs only a few dozen yuan — don’t wait until the wound starts swelling.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/16-the-earlier-women-get-the-hpv-vaccine-the-better/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/16-the-earlier-women-get-the-hpv-vaccine-the-better/","title":"The earlier women get the HPV vaccine, the better","content_text":"Data from 1.67 million Swedish women show that those who received the HPV vaccine before age 17 have only about one‑eighth the risk of developing invasive cervical cancer compared to unvaccinated women. For women vaccinated between 17 and 30, the risk is roughly half that of non‑vaccinated peers. Therefore, getting vaccinated earlier offers the greatest benefit.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/17-breast-cancer-screening-for-women-mammograms-every-two/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/17-breast-cancer-screening-for-women-mammograms-every-two/","title":"Breast cancer screening for women: mammograms every two years starting at age 40","content_text":"For women aged 40 to 74, having a mammogram every two years is a clear recommendation in official US screening guidelines. For women over 75, and for those with dense breast tissue who need extra ultrasound or MRI scans, there is currently insufficient evidence to support such screening. If a health check package includes these extra tests at an extra charge, they are not necessary.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/18-for-women-over-30-hpv-testing-should-be-the-first-choice/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/18-for-women-over-30-hpv-testing-should-be-the-first-choice/","title":"For women over 30, HPV testing should be the first choice for cervical cancer screening","content_text":"In that rural Indian trial, women who underwent just one HPV test in their lifetime had roughly half the risk of dying from cervical cancer and about 50% lower odds of being diagnosed with advanced-stage disease. At a cost of just 100–200 yuan per test, a negative result provides protection for five years.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/19-starting-colorectal-cancer-screening-at-ages-45-50-use/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/19-starting-colorectal-cancer-screening-at-ages-45-50-use/","title":"Starting colorectal cancer screening at ages 45–50: use fecal immunochemical tests or colonoscopies","content_text":"Getting a low-cost fecal occult blood test every year or two lowers the chance of dying from colorectal cancer by roughly 16%. For people who’ve had at least one round of screening, this risk drops by about 25%. In the group invited to undergo a colonoscopy, the likelihood of developing colorectal cancer over the next decade fell from 1.20% to 0.98%.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/20-people-with-cardiovascular-disease-and-older-adults-should/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/20-people-with-cardiovascular-disease-and-older-adults-should/","title":"People with cardiovascular disease and older adults should get a flu shot each year","content_text":"In a trial involving people after a heart attack, the yearly death rate dropped from 4.9% to 2.9% after they received the flu vaccine. For people with cardiovascular disease and older adults, getting one shot each autumn for just 50 to 150 yuan can make a real difference.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/21-getting-the-shingles-vaccine-after-age-50/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/21-getting-the-shingles-vaccine-after-age-50/","title":"Getting the shingles vaccine after age 50","content_text":"In Phase 3 trials, this vaccine proved 97% effective at preventing shingles across all age groups. The downside is that both doses cost several thousand yuan, all paid by the patient. In exchange, there’s a 97% reduction in the likelihood of developing shingles.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/22-pneumococcal-vaccine-for-people-over-65/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/22-pneumococcal-vaccine-for-people-over-65/","title":"Pneumococcal vaccine for people over 65","content_text":"In a trial involving 84,500 seniors, the 13-valent pneumococcal vaccine cut cases of pneumonia caused by strains it targets by roughly 46%, and reduced instances of the most severe invasive infections by 75%. However, it showed no effect on pneumonia cases caused by any other pathogens, so it won’t prevent all types of pneumonia. The absolute confidence interval width is 95.2%.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/23-testing-for-helicobacter-pylori-and-eradicating-it-if/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/23-testing-for-helicobacter-pylori-and-eradicating-it-if/","title":"Testing for Helicobacter pylori and eradicating it if positive","content_text":"A 22-year follow-up study conducted in Linqu, Shandong, showed that individuals who had Helicobacter pylori eradicated had roughly half the risk of developing gastric cancer and about 40% lower risk of dying from it. Testing costs just 100–200 yuan, while eradication requires a two-week medication regimen.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/24-heavy-smokers-should-get-a-low-dose-chest-ct-once-a-year/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/24-heavy-smokers-should-get-a-low-dose-chest-ct-once-a-year/","title":"Heavy smokers should get a low-dose chest CT once a year","content_text":"Eligible heavy smokers who get a low-dose CT once a year have a 20% lower risk of dying from lung cancer and a 6.7% lower overall risk of death compared to those who only get regular chest X-rays. The trade-offs are extra follow-up tests after any suspicious findings and the resulting worry during the waiting period.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/25-call-12356-if-you-re-depressed-or-having-suicidal-thoughts/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/25-call-12356-if-you-re-depressed-or-having-suicidal-thoughts/","title":"Call 12356 if you’re depressed or having suicidal thoughts; don’t keep sleeping pills or pesticides at home","content_text":"Removing lethal items from easy reach is a proven way to cut suicide risk: after restricting access to painkillers, suicide rates linked to them dropped by 43%; installing barriers at locations where people often jump off cliffs cut rates by 86%. That’s why it’s a good idea to avoid storing sleeping pills and pesticides at home. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, call 12356 — this national helpline is available at least 18 hours a day.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/26-purchase-fire-extinguishers-fire-blankets-escape/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/26-purchase-fire-extinguishers-fire-blankets-escape/","title":"Purchase fire extinguishers, fire blankets, escape respirators, and first-aid kits, then inspect them once a year","content_text":"Fire extinguishers, fire blankets, escape respirators, and first-aid kits are all included in the Emergency Management Department’s list of 11 essential items for household emergency preparedness. The whole set costs a few hundred yuan, and you only need to buy it once. Studies of home safety programs that included on-site guidance found these measures cut injury rates by roughly 25%.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/27-visible-blood-in-urine-even-if-painless-and-gone-by-the/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/27-visible-blood-in-urine-even-if-painless-and-gone-by-the/","title":"Visible blood in urine — even if painless and gone by the next day — still warrants a check-up","content_text":"Among people aged 60 and older, the chance of ultimately being diagnosed with bladder cancer after experiencing one episode of visible blood in urine is about 2.8%. For those aged 40–59, that figure is roughly 1.2%. These percentages may not seem very high, but they’re high enough to justify getting checked — even if the bleeding stops the very next day.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/28-if-erectile-dysfunction-appears-check-cardiovascular-health/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/28-if-erectile-dysfunction-appears-check-cardiovascular-health/","title":"If erectile dysfunction appears, check cardiovascular health first — don’t treat it as a purely sexual issue","content_text":"Men with erectile dysfunction later develop cardiovascular disease at roughly 40% higher rates than other men, and heart attacks at about 60% higher rates. The younger a man is, the greater this difference becomes. This problem often shows up before any chest pain does. Therefore, it’s wise to check blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels rather than simply self‑medicating.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/29-weight-loss-quitting-smoking-and-controlling-blood-pressure/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/29-weight-loss-quitting-smoking-and-controlling-blood-pressure/","title":"Weight loss, quitting smoking, and controlling blood pressure and blood sugar can improve erectile function","content_text":"Managing cardiovascular risk factors naturally leads to better erectile function. When multiple randomized trials are combined, questionnaire scores improve by an average of 2 to 3 points. This questionnaire has a maximum score of 25, with scores above 22 considered normal.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/30-always-use-condoms-during-sex-and-never-share-needles/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/30-always-use-condoms-during-sex-and-never-share-needles/","title":"Always use condoms during sex and never share needles","content_text":"Using a condom every time throughout sex cuts the chance of HIV transmission between heterosexual partners by roughly 70% or more. “Most of the time” just isn’t enough — that still leaves the risk nearly as high as not using one at all. Condoms also protect against syphilis, gonorrhea, and other STIs.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/31-if-you-ve-engaged-in-high-risk-behavior-get-tested-for-hiv/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/31-if-you-ve-engaged-in-high-risk-behavior-get-tested-for-hiv/","title":"If you’ve engaged in high‑risk behavior, get tested for HIV — the Chinese CDC offers free testing with full confidentiality","content_text":"Testing for HIV at the Chinese CDC costs nothing. According to the “National Measures for HIV Testing Management,” staff are prohibited from disclosing your name, address, or test results. A positive result does not mean a death sentence: people who adhere to treatment and keep their viral load undetectable cannot transmit the virus to sexual partners. One major study followed more than 700 couples through over 70,000 unprotected acts; there were zero transmissions between partners.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/32-as-soon-as-suicidal-thoughts-arise-tell-someone-nearby-and/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/32-as-soon-as-suicidal-thoughts-arise-tell-someone-nearby-and/","title":"As soon as suicidal thoughts arise, tell someone nearby and hand over those first few minutes","content_text":"Among 82 people who attempted suicide, 47.6% reported that only 10 minutes or less passed from the first appearance of suicidal thoughts to the actual attempt. What they had to endure was not a lifetime of mental anguish, but just those few minutes. Of the same group, 76.8% had some contact with others during that time, though they did not voice their feelings. Looking ahead, about 2% of people who ended up in the hospital due to self-harm died by suicide within a year, while roughly 7% did so after nine years or more; the vast majority did not follow that path.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/33-don-t-treat-survival-as-a-safety-net-after-ingesting/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/33-don-t-treat-survival-as-a-safety-net-after-ingesting/","title":"Don’t treat “survival” as a safety net: after ingesting paraquat or inhaling carbon monoxide, emergency care can save lives, but it rarely preserves lung or brain function","content_text":"There is no antidote for paraquat. Gastric lavage is not recommended, and neither hemofiltration nor dialysis alters its disease progression. Paraquat actively enters lung tissue against its concentration gradient, causing pneumonia and pulmonary fibrosis, while also damaging kidneys and liver. Among 257 cases treated at ten hospitals in Bangladesh, the mortality rate reached 43.2%. Carbon monoxide produces similar outcomes: six weeks after exposure, 46.1% of patients receiving normal oxygen still suffered cognitive impairment, compared to 25.0% of those receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy. No treatment pathway yields a completely clean outcome; the most common result is lasting health complications.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/34-don-t-bet-on-a-few-days-of-rest-after-a-fall-from-height/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/34-don-t-bet-on-a-few-days-of-rest-after-a-fall-from-height/","title":"Don’t bet on “a few days of rest” after a fall from height: most patients admitted to a trauma ICU survive, though at a cost measured in years","content_text":"A trauma ICU in southern Xinjiang treated 289 patients who fell from heights. Only 5.5% died either in the hospital or within 30 days. The vast majority survived, but at a price: 47.1% suffered injuries to three or more body parts, 36% needed ventilators, and the median length of stay in the ICU was 8 days — with some patients remaining for as long as 132 days. The median fall height for this group was just 3 meters. Follow‑up showed that 58% of those with serious injuries eventually returned to work.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/35-don-t-trade-losing-one-kidney-is-no-big-deal-for-cash-the/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/35-don-t-trade-losing-one-kidney-is-no-big-deal-for-cash-the/","title":"Don’t trade “losing one kidney is no big deal” for cash: the remaining kidney has to do the work of two, and 86% of kidney sellers later say their health got worse","content_text":"First, consider the best-case scenario: legitimate donors who pass rigorous screening and receive post‑surgery follow‑up. In U.S. data from nearly 96,000 donors, only 31 per 10,000 developed end‑stage renal disease within 15 years after donation. Among equally healthy, eligible non‑donors, that figure was just 4 per 10,000. On the other side, a study of 305 kidney sellers in India found that six years later, 86% reported poorer health, and three‑quarters still carried debt. Legitimate donors get screening and monitoring; kidney sellers get none of that.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/36-don-t-pick-up-disassemble-or-sell-unidentified-metal-parts/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/36-don-t-pick-up-disassemble-or-sell-unidentified-metal-parts/","title":"Don’t pick up, disassemble, or sell unidentified metal parts; stay clear of areas marked with the clover symbol","content_text":"Radiation has no smell, color, or temperature. Most radioactive sources look like ordinary pieces of metal, so “it looks harmless” is not a reliable indicator. The chance of an ordinary person encountering one is extremely low — fewer than one incident occurs per 10,000 sources each year. Yet when such an encounter does happen, the consequences are irreversible. In 1987, four people died in Brazil after dismantling a radiotherapy machine from an abandoned clinic.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/37-when-gambling-leads-to-borrowing-money-and-persistent-low/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/37-when-gambling-leads-to-borrowing-money-and-persistent-low/","title":"When gambling leads to borrowing money and persistent low mood, call 12356 first and then hand over your bank cards and payment passwords to family members","content_text":"Individuals who have sought treatment for gambling problems are 15 times more likely to die by suicide and 1.8 times more likely to die overall compared to their peers. Depression serves as a key warning sign for potential suicide. Therefore, if you find yourself gambling despite owing money and feeling persistently down, call 12356 right away.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/38-men-who-have-sex-with-men-at-high-risk-of-hiv-infection-can/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/38-men-who-have-sex-with-men-at-high-risk-of-hiv-infection-can/","title":"Men who have sex with men at high risk of HIV infection can significantly lower their infection risk by taking pre-exposure prophylaxis from designated HIV clinics on schedule","content_text":"People who aren’t yet infected can take an antiviral drug called pre-exposure prophylaxis to protect themselves. Those who take it consistently cut their risk of infection by more than 70%. On the other hand, people who take it intermittently see almost no benefit. Because it’s a prescription drug, a medical checkup is mandatory before obtaining it, and regular follow-ups are necessary thereafter.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/39-women-aged-65-and-older-should-have-a-dual-energy-x-ray/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/39-women-aged-65-and-older-should-have-a-dual-energy-x-ray/","title":"Women aged 65 and older should have a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) bone density test; postmenopausal women with osteoporosis risk factors need not wait until 65","content_text":"Women aged 65 and older, and postmenopausal women with osteoporosis risk factors, should have bone density measured once. When screening starts with fracture-risk assessment and treats those at high risk, hip fractures fall by about 17%. That works out to about 5 fewer hip fractures per 1,000 people screened. Overall mortality did not change.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/40-if-you-are-diagnosed-with-osteoporosis-or-have-fractured/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/40-if-you-are-diagnosed-with-osteoporosis-or-have-fractured/","title":"If you are diagnosed with osteoporosis, or have fractured from a minor fall, ask a doctor for osteoporosis medication and keep taking it—do not treat calcium supplements as a substitute","content_text":"If osteoporosis is confirmed, or you have already fractured from a light fall, following a doctor's drug plan cuts hip fractures by about half and symptomatic spine fractures by a bit more than half. In older people who start yearly infusion within 90 days after hip-fracture surgery, new fractures over two years fall by about 35%. Calcium alone cannot replace these drugs.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/41-drill-holes-to-measure-ice-thickness-before-stepping-onto/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/41-drill-holes-to-measure-ice-thickness-before-stepping-onto/","title":"Drill holes to measure ice thickness before stepping onto it; don’t go out if it’s under 15 cm thick. Avoid ice over rivers and near ice-fishing holes","content_text":"Official Chinese guidelines state that ice must be at least 15 cm thick before adults can safely skate on it. In the U.S. and Canada, the minimum threshold is 10 cm, but only for newly formed, transparent ice. White ice is only half as strong, so its thickness must be doubled to be considered safe. Even on the same body of water, ice can be 12 cm thick in one spot and just 2–3 cm a few steps away; therefore, you must measure it as you go.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/42-always-attach-the-guard-wear-goggles-and-a-face-shield-then/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/42-always-attach-the-guard-wear-goggles-and-a-face-shield-then/","title":"Always attach the guard, wear goggles and a face shield, then grip the grinder firmly with both hands — never use a wood‑cutting blade on it","content_text":"Angle grinders spin at extremely high speeds; a broken blade can fly off and injure someone, and attaching a wood‑cutting blade can cause sudden recoil. In China, two separate incidents involved workers who used wood‑cutting blades without any guard — one suffered a severed femoral artery and the other a cut carotid artery, both resulting in death. Installing a guard, wearing goggles and a face shield, and holding the tool with both hands costs very little yet can prevent such tragedies.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/43-ask-someone-close-to-you-who-seems-off-directly-have-you/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/43-ask-someone-close-to-you-who-seems-off-directly-have-you/","title":"Ask someone close to you who seems off, directly: “Have you thought about suicide?” Asking does not make the thoughts stronger","content_text":"The worry that mentioning suicide plants the thought has not shown up in research. When suicide questions were added to a questionnaire for high-school students, those asked did not feel worse, and no more of them reported thinking about suicide. Students who were already depressed felt less distressed after being asked, and students who had attempted suicide before were less likely to report suicidal thoughts.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/44-if-you-experience-palpitations-or-an-irregular-heartbeat/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/44-if-you-experience-palpitations-or-an-irregular-heartbeat/","title":"If you experience palpitations or an irregular heartbeat, get an ECG; if diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, consult a doctor about anticoagulants to prevent stroke, and do not substitute aspirin","content_text":"Atrial fibrillation (AFib) causes the heart's upper chambers to beat chaotically, allowing blood to pool and form clots; if a clot travels to the brain, it triggers a devastating ischemic stroke. Taking doctor-prescribed anticoagulants reduces the risk of stroke by roughly 60% and lowers overall mortality by about 30%. Antiplatelet drugs like aspirin reduce stroke risk by only about 20% and cannot serve as an effective substitute. In national surveys, only a tiny fraction of high-risk patients with AFib were taking anticoagulants.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/45-adults-should-screen-once-for-hepatitis-c-antibodies-if/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/45-adults-should-screen-once-for-hepatitis-c-antibodies-if/","title":"Adults should screen once for hepatitis C antibodies; if positive, get an RNA test, and if confirmed, complete an 8- to 12-week course of oral antivirals to achieve a cure in over 95% of cases","content_text":"Hepatitis C virus (HCV) can silently damage the liver for decades without causing any symptoms; a simple antibody blood test, followed by an RNA test if positive, establishes the diagnosis. For those with active infection, an 8- to 12-week course of oral antivirals clears the virus in over 95% of cases. Achieving viral clearance cuts subsequent overall mortality risk by roughly 60% and liver cancer risk by around 70%. In China, national price negotiations incorporated these therapies into basic health insurance in 2019, slashing medication costs by over 85%.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/46-ventilate-septic-tanks-sewer-manholes-cesspools-vegetable/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/46-ventilate-septic-tanks-sewer-manholes-cesspools-vegetable/","title":"Ventilate septic tanks, sewer manholes, cesspools, vegetable cellars, and fermentation tanks before entering; if someone collapses inside, never jump in after them—call emergency services immediately","content_text":"Septic tanks, manholes, cesspools, and sealed vegetable cellars accumulate lethal concentrations of toxic gases (like hydrogen sulfide) and suffer severe oxygen deficiency, knocking an entrant unconscious within seconds. Across official industrial accident registries, a single worker collapses, and coworkers or relatives rush in consecutively to rescue them, only to die alongside them. Official statistics show over half of all confined space fatalities are would-be rescuers. If someone collapses inside, never enter: call emergency dispatch (such as 119 and 120) immediately.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/47-adults-aged-45-and-older-living-in-high-incidence-areas-for/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/47-adults-aged-45-and-older-living-in-high-incidence-areas-for/","title":"Adults aged 45 and older living in high-incidence areas for gastric and esophageal cancers, with family history, or tested positive for H. pylori, should undergo screening gastroscopy","content_text":"For individuals aged 45 and older in high-risk categories for gastric or esophageal cancers, undergoing gastroscopy is associated with a roughly 50% lower mortality from these cancers in observational studies. However, people who proactively schedule screenings generally maintain healthier lifestyles, which inflates observational estimates; in rigorous randomized community trials, the reduction in esophageal cancer mortality was approximately 20%, falling within the margin of error. Clinical guidelines advise against routine gastroscopy for average-risk individuals outside high-risk groups.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/48-consume-soaked-black-fungus-wood-ear-and-silver-ear-within/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/01-do-not-die-early/48-consume-soaked-black-fungus-wood-ear-and-silver-ear-within/","title":"Consume soaked black fungus (wood ear) and silver ear within the same meal without storing overnight, eat fresh wet rice noodles on the day of purchase, and never make fermented cornmeal at home","content_text":"Black fungus and tremella (silver ear) soaked for extended periods, improperly stored fresh wet rice noodles, and home-fermented corn flour products can be contaminated by Burkholderia gladioli pathovar cocovenenans, producing bongkrekic acid—a lethal bacterial toxin. Bongkrekic acid cannot be broken down by 100°C boiling or pressure cooking, and there is no known medical antidote. Across nationwide foodborne outbreak surveillance in China over eleven years, nearly 30% of individuals poisoned by bongkrekic acid died.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/02-do-not-die-slowly/1-quitting-smoking-the-earlier-the-better/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/02-do-not-die-slowly/1-quitting-smoking-the-earlier-the-better/","title":"Quitting smoking, the earlier the better","content_text":"On average, smokers live more than 10 years less than non-smokers. Quitting before age 40 eliminates roughly 90% of the extra death risk caused by continued smoking. The earlier you quit, the more years you gain. If you keep smoking after a fracture, the chance that the bone fails to heal is about 2.3 times that of a non-smoker, so don’t smoke until the bone has healed.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"},{"id":"https://notevida.com/en/02-do-not-die-slowly/2-don-t-smoke-at-home-or-in-the-car-and-don-t-let-guests/","url":"https://notevida.com/en/02-do-not-die-slowly/2-don-t-smoke-at-home-or-in-the-car-and-don-t-let-guests/","title":"Don’t smoke at home or in the car, and don’t let guests smoke indoors","content_text":"Around 600,000 people worldwide die each year from secondhand smoke exposure; nearly 30% of those are children. Long‑term exposure to secondhand smoke raises the risk of hypertension, heart disease, and stroke by roughly 30% compared to non‑exposed individuals. Smoke inhaled at home is even more harmful than smoke encountered outside.","date_modified":"2026-11-08","language":"en"}]}