This section covers three main topics. First, deaths caused by accidents and injuries — things like car crashes, fires, and poisoning. Second, there are a few vaccines and screening tests backed by very strong scientific evidence. Third, we’ll look at certain warning signs the body gives off that mean it’s time to get checked out. The numbers listed under “Benefit” come from randomized controlled trials, large long‑term studies, or official statistics. The “Cost” figures are rough estimates based on current market prices; they’re meant only for comparison purposes and shouldn’t be cited as official data.
English text comes from the independent translation maintained by dlgrv. New entries without a translation appear in Chinese. The author's Chinese original is authoritative for the latest content. Translation snapshot: dlgrv/HowToLiveBetter · 11818c6
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.
No cost at all. It only adds about 2 seconds to every trip…
According to NHTSA estimates, seat belts lower the risk of fatal injury for front‑seat occupants of cars by 45…
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.
A helmet costs between 100 and 300 yuan. It takes just 5 s…
Cochrane pooled data from multiple studies. For motorcyclists wearing helmets, the risk of death fell by 42%.…
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.
A smoke alarm costs between 30 and 100 yuan. A carbon mono…
A study in North Carolina examined homes that had experienced fires versus those that hadn’t. It found that ha…
A properly certified gas hose costs only a few dozen yuan. Replacing it when it expires is a mandatory obligation for users, as clearly stated in the Regulations on Urban Gas Management. The same regulations explicitly forbid any unauthorized modification of gas piping or removal of gas meters. Moreover, they stipulate that gas companies may not compel customers to purchase specific products or services. Therefore, if a representative from a gas company shows up claiming that replacement is mandatory, you have every right to refuse.
A compliant gas hose costs just a few dozen yuan. Stoves s…
The Regulations explicitly define it as a user obligation to promptly replace any gas appliances or connecting…
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.
No expense involved. The hard part is giving up a seasonal…
The Chinese CDC investigated 828 mushroom poisoning cases in 2025 involving 2,165 individuals;
Pushing an e-bike into a stairwell or elevator, or charging it at home, is strictly prohibited under the Ministry of Emergency Management’s “Regulations on Fire Safety Management in High-Rise Civil Buildings.” Those who violate the rule face fines of 500–1,000 yuan for individuals and 2,000–10,000 yuan for businesses. Even the fines are the lesser concern; the real danger is that a fire could erupt right in your only escape route.
No direct cost. The tricky part is having to walk a few do…
The regulations explicitly forbid “parking e-bikes or charging them in public lobbies, evacuation corridors, s…
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.
An electronic sphygmomanometer costs 100–200 RMB. Each mea…
Data from 123 clinical trials involving over 610,000 participants shows that a 10 mmHg reduction in systolic b…
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.
A fasting blood glucose test costs just a few dozen yuan.…
The US Preventive Services Task Force is the official body that issues screening recommendations in the US. It…
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.
There’s no direct cost. Driving a bit slower adds just a f…
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a 1% rise in average speed translates to a 4% increase in th…
For infants under one year old, using a car seat 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.
A seat costs between 300 and 2,000 yuan and lasts several…
According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), car seats lower the risk of fata…
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.
A set of window guards or child safety locks costs just a…
Since 1972, New York City has run a program called “Kids Can’t Fly,” which distributes free window guards in h…
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.
Life jackets cost between 50 and 200 yuan. Additionally, p…
Research using U.S. Coast Guard data compared similar groups of people. For individuals who fell overboard whi…
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.
Aim to practice balance exercises two to three times per w…
Cochrane analyzed 108 separate trials involving 23,407 participants. Collectively, these studies show that reg…
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.
The test costs just a few dozen yuan per person. For adult…
This Qidong trial used group randomization rather than individual assignment and was tracked for three decades…
Once tetanus sets in, about 1 out of every 10 people dies. The risk is highest for deep wounds or wounds contaminated with soil. Treating such a wound on the same day costs only a few dozen yuan — don’t wait until it starts swelling to seek care.
Seeing a doctor and having the wound treated costs just a…
In the United States, roughly 1 out of every 10 people with tetanus dies. The risk is similarly higher for dee…
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.
Domestic bivalent vaccines cost around 300 RMB per dose, w…
Swedish research on 1.67 million women found that vaccinated individuals have a much lower incidence of invasi…
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.
A mammogram costs around 200–300 yuan each time. Many regi…
The US Preventive Services Task Force is the official body that issues screening recommendations in the US. It…
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.
An HPV test costs between 100 and 300 yuan. Women with a n…
This trial in rural India used group-level rather than individual randomization, involving women aged 30–59. A…
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%.
Fecal tests cost just a few dozen yuan and can be done eve…
Cochrane pooled data from multiple studies showing that individuals undergoing fecal occult blood screening ha…
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.
One shot costs 50 to 150 yuan. It should be given once eac…
This trial included 2,571 participants after a myocardial infarction;
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.
The recombinant shingles vaccine requires two doses, costi…
This Phase 3 trial involved 15,400 participants from 18 countries. Participants were randomly assigned to rece…
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%.
Several hundred yuan. In some regions, it is provided free…
Researchers in the Netherlands randomly assigned 84,500 seniors over 65 to two groups for comparison. They use…
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.
The carbon-13 or carbon-14 breath test costs 100 to 200 yu…
This randomized trial in Linqu, Shandong, followed participants for 22 years. Those who underwent Helicobacter…
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.
The test costs 200–400 yuan per session and takes just 10…
The NLST trial in the U.S. enrolled 53,454 participants aged 55–74 with at least 30 pack-years of smoking hist…
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.
There’s no cost involved. You just need to make one phone…
A recent review of nearly a decade’s worth of research confirms that limiting people’s access to lethal means…
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%.
A set of fire extinguishers, fire blankets, one respirator…
The Emergency Management Department’s “National Recommended List of Basic Household Emergency Supplies” contai…
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.
A routine urine test costs just a few dozen yuan, while a…
A UK study analyzed electronic medical records from primary-care clinics, comparing 4,915 patients diagnosed w…
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.
A doctor’s visit costs just a few dozen yuan. Measuring bl…
One meta‑analysis combined data from 14 long‑term studies involving 92,757 men, followed for an average of 6.1…
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.
There is no cost involved;
One meta-analysis evaluated six randomized controlled trials involving 740 men. Interventions included lifesty…
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.
A single condom costs just one or two yuan. The challenge…
One study pooled data from 25 separate studies involving 10,676 heterosexual couples in which one partner was…
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.
There is no charge. You simply visit the Chinese CDC or a…
Article 23 of the “Regulations on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control” mandates that local health authorities desi…
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.
No cost involved. The hard part is actually speaking up at…
Interviews conducted within three days of admission with those 82 individuals showed that 47.6% (39 people) st…
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.
No cost involved. It simply helps you understand this real…
A systematic review on paraquat poisoning highlights its extremely high mortality rate, stemming from its intr…
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.
No cost at all. It simply helps you see the full picture.
From April 2020 to July 2024, the same ICU recorded 289 cases of falls from heights;
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.
No cost at all. It simply requires a clear look at the fac…
U.S. researchers compared 96,217 living kidney donors with 20,024 similarly healthy non‑donors drawn from the…
Radiation has no smell, color, or temperature, so humans cannot detect it. That means “it looks harmless” is not a reliable way to judge whether something is radioactive. Most radioactive sources look exactly like ordinary metal — they emit no light and generate no heat. The chance of an average person encountering one is extremely low: there are roughly 178,000 active radioactive sources nationwide, and the accident rate stays under 1 per 10,000 sources. But if you do happen to encounter one, the consequences are irreversible. In 1987, someone in Brazil disassembled a radiotherapy machine from an abandoned clinic; roughly 112,000 people were monitored, and 4 died as a result.
No cost at all. If you see unfamiliar metal cylinders, lea…
As of 2025, there are about 178,000 active radioactive sources and 355,000 radiation devices in use across the…