The best 59 Diseases & Illnesses books

Genome (2006, second edition) takes you on an exciting journey into your own body, exploring the genetic building blocks that make up not only who you are but also all life on earth. You’ll examine the basics of genetics and discover what genes influence, from aging to illness to even your own personality. Importantly, you’ll better understand why the future of healthcare and wellness may be found in the human genome.

• Students of biology or genetics
• People curious about biological determinism vs. societal determinism
• Anyone wondering how exactly genes work

Eradication (2011) is about the health community’s attempts to eradicate certain diseases from the face of the planet. These blinks trace the history of disease eradication, its successes and failures, and the complicated political issues it raises.

• Students of medicine or public health
• Anyone interested in the eradication of disease

The human body evolved to allow us to survive in a world very different from the one we inhabit today. These blinks explain why we’re not suited to the modern world, and the health complications we’re suffering as a result.

• People suffering from obesity, high blood pressure, depression or coronary illnesses
• Medical professionals
• Anyone interested in genetics or evolution

Super Immunity (2011) reveals the secret to a better, stronger immune system and healthier body: superfoods. These blinks shed light on the shortcomings of modern medicine and teach you how to take advantage of the healing powers of plant foods rich in nutrients and phytochemicals.

• People tired of suffering from colds and flu
• Individuals interested in alternatives to antibiotics and prescription medicine
• Anybody keen on boosting their health the natural way

The Vitamin Solution (2015) offers a clear picture of the world of vitamins to help you determine whether you need them, why you might need them and what they can do to improve your everyday life. Cut through the clutter and confusion and find out which vitamins are essential for a healthy body and mind and how you can put yourself on the path to better living.

• Athletes looking to reach their body’s optimal performance
• People suffering from fatigue, depression or insomnia
• Medical practitioners interested in the benefits of commonly used vitamins

The Diabetes Code (2018) addresses one of the western world’s most alarming health epidemics: the rise of type 2 diabetes – a disorder closely related to poor diet and obesity. But as Jason Fung shows, it can be reversed. The important thing is to figure out what works and what doesn’t. Drawing on his professional experience as well as the latest scientific data, Fung makes a powerful case for a dietary strategy to prevent and reverse type 2 diabetes that you can start implementing today.

• Type 2 diabetes patients
• Anyone battling obesity
• Nutritional therapists and doctors

Get Well Soon (2017) tells the story of the diseases and epidemics that have plagued humans from the distant past right up to the twentieth century, detailing the theories that people once had about certain diseases and how to treat them. There’s room in the story too for the heroes who made breakthroughs in the treatment and prevention of diseases, or who helped sufferers when others shunned them.  

• Students of history and the history of medicine
• Anyone interested in public health
• Medics in need of quirky anecdotes for dinner parties

Eat to Beat Disease (2019) shines a light on the sophisticated systems the body uses to defend itself from deadly diseases. Drawing on the latest scientific research, these blinks explore how your dietary choices support these defense systems and explain how, when it comes to your health, food truly is medicine.

• Couch potatoes trying to lose weight
• Fitness freaks wanting to optimize their diet
• Health professionals looking for an insight into nutrition

Ask Me About My Uterus (2018) explores one woman’s struggle with endometriosis. Shining a light on the devastating impact of this little-understood disease, these blinks also explore the sexism of the healthcare industry, which often compounds patients’ suffering. Drawing on personal experience and delving into scientific research, Ask Me About My Uterus explores the painful intersection of sickness and inequality.

• Women suffering from endometriosis
• Healthcare professionals seeking a fresh perspective
• Feminists looking for new insights

Heart (2018) examines an organ that has baffled humanity for centuries. By delving into the history of the heart, both from a biological and a cultural perspective, it explains why the heart plays such an important role in human history.

• Medical students
• Patients with health issues affecting the heart
• Historians of science

Food Fix (2020) shows us how the world's gravest problems, like chronic disease, inequality, and climate collapse, can all be traced back to our food and the way we produce it. Here, American physician Mark Hyman describes what we should do next, setting out the path to healthy eating and regenerative farming. 

• Anyone interested in eating and living well
• Environmentalists and climate activists
• Farmers looking to transition to sustainable agriculture

The Undying (2019) is a searing, poetic account of the author’s journey through an aggressive form of breast cancer. It’s also a seething appraisal of women’s experience of this illness, in history and literature, as well as in the present-day United States. 

• Anyone who has ever suffered illness – from a common cold to cancer
• People interested in class politics 
• Lovers of great literature

When the Body Says No (2003) probes the hidden connections between mental health and physical illness. Modern medical science often tries to reassure us that our minds and bodies are totally separate – when, in reality, they’re deeply interconnected. Mental stresses often play out in the body as physiological diseases, disorders, and chronic conditions that endanger our health and well-being.

• People who have chronic health conditions or who know others who have them
• The eternally stressed
• Those interested in the connections between mind and body

The Lonely Century (2021) explores the loneliness that characterizes the twenty-first century. Drawing on a decade of research, it reveals how neoliberal policies, new technologies, and mass migration to cities have contributed to us becoming so lonely – and what shifts need to occur for us to reconnect.

• Isolated individuals interested in understanding our current crisis of loneliness
• Political thinkers who want to understand the roots of far-right movements
• Community leaders looking for ways to bring people together

The XX Brain (2020) is a practical guide to improving women’s brain health and preventing Alzheimer’s disease. Women are suffering from an Alzheimer’s epidemic, but so far the medical industry isn’t doing much about it. The XX Brain shows you how to take your health into your own hands, demand the medical treatment you deserve, and take concrete steps to help prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s. 

• Women looking to proactively protect their brains from disease
• Women who are forgetful and would like more mental clarity
• Health professionals wanting to improve their approach to women’s healthcare

Biohack Your Brain (2020) is a guide to caring for your most essential organ – the brain. Drawing on the latest neuroscientific research, it’s packed with actionable advice on everything from optimizing your diet for brain health to stimulating your gray cells and beating stress. Along the way, it sheds light on how you can start protecting yourself against cognitive diseases like Alzheimer’s.

• Thinkers and tinkerers
• The stressed and anxious 
• Self-improvers

Uncontrolled Spread (2021) takes an unsparing look at the many problems the United States faced when confronted with the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Through a combination of factors, the US was unprepared for what occurred. But it’s possible to learn from this tragedy and make sure that it doesn’t happen again.

• People keen to learn more about the US’s response to the COVID pandemic
• Anyone interested in how we can be more prepared against future threats

How to Prevent the Next Pandemic (2022) is a blueprint for the international pandemic prevention plan the world sorely needs. Learning from the mistakes of the Covid 19 pandemic, Gates lays down a series of steps governments need to take if we’re to protect ourselves and ensure another global health catastrophe of this scale never happens again.

• Casual science readers with an interest in epidemiology
• Business leaders and philanthropists looking for good places to invest
• Anyone who doesn’t want to live through another Covid 19

Vaxxers (2021) follows the race to develop a functional vaccine to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Professor Sarah Gilbert and Dr. Catherine Green, of the University of Oxford, deliver captivating and informative insight into the process of designing, testing, and manufacturing the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in record time. They recount exciting moments of innovation, as well as the hurdles faced along the way.

• Anyone fascinated by vaccine development
• Public health enthusiasts 
• Futurists looking to prepare for the next big pandemic

No Cure for Being Human (2021) is the thoughtful chronicle of Kate Bowler’s attempts to make the most of her life after a brutal cancer diagnosis at only 35. Part memoir, part critique of the widespread obsession with positivity, No Cure for Being Human is a poignant dispatch from the fragile border between life and death.

• Those who’ve supporting a loved one through a serious diagnosis, or have received one themselves
• Critics of the prosperity gospel and impeccably curated Instagram feeds
• Those grappling with the idea that they, too, might be incurably human

Michelle Zauner’s memoir, Crying in H Mart (2021), explores Zauner’s search for identity, her relationship with her Korean mother, and her beginnings as a musician. Key moments and emotions are constantly linked with food, which lies at the heart of Zauner’s connection with her mother, her heritage, and her true self.

• Anyone who has experienced grief
• Fans of Japanese Breakfast
• Asian food aficionados

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (2013) is a guide to healing the body through lifestyle interventions. Wentz offers practical suggestions for people with Hashimoto’s, including recommendations for tests and dietary changes, so they can get on the right track toward feeling better.

• Hashimoto’s patients looking for new treatments
• People whose loved ones have been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s
• Anyone interested in diet and gut health

Heal From Within (2022) is a guidebook to self-healing. While traditional medicine tends to focus on symptoms, Beecher argues that we should be paying attention to the cause of an illness. Her healing strategies are based on personal experience, as well as her professional career as a counselor and medical intuitive.

• People who want to heal from any kind of health issue
• Empaths and highly sensitive people
• Anyone who’s interested in learning more about chakras

Stem Cells (2021) provides an introduction to stem cells – how they’re used by scientists, the therapies that exist today, and what the near future holds. It focuses on the medical and scientific consideration of stem cells and only briefly considers ethical, political, and legal aspects. This “very short introduction” is part of a series of over 650 short introductions covering myriad subjects in every discipline.

• Biology buffs
• Stem cell therapy skeptics and miracle-cure seekers
• Politicians and businesspeople interested in the future of stem cell applications

Dr. Patrick Walsh's Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer (2001) is a comprehensive and straightforward guide to one of the most common cancers facing men today. Drawing on decades of scientific research and medical expertise, the authors outline every aspect of prostate cancer, including potential causes, testing and diagnosis, current treatment options, and what to expect as a survivor.

• Men or the loved ones of men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer and want to know what to expect.
• Healthy men who would like to stay that way.
• The medically minded who would like an overview of one of the most common forms of cancer.

Elizabeth Taylor (2022) is an enthralling authorized biography of one of Hollywood's most famous stars. This fascinating and complete portrait of the legend chronicles her life of fame, tragedy, love, and loss.

• Elizabeth Taylor devotees
• Classic Hollywood aficionados
• Romance fans

Man Overboard! (2022) is a comprehensive guide to the most common health challenges men are likely to encounter as they get older. It not only explains the difference between low testosterone and erectile dysfunction and what to watch out for with obesity and deadly types of cancer but also provides tools for men to take control of their health to keep living an active life without too many unpleasant surprises.

• Men over 40 looking to build on their knowledge of common health problems
• Anyone interested in healthcare communication
• People wondering if Viagra is all it professes to be

ADHD 2.0 (2021) provides updated science and guidance on living a successful and happy life with attention deficiency hyperactivity disorder – ADHD. It offers insights into how people with ADHD can tap into their strengths and unleash their full potential.

• People with ADHD who want to reach their full potential
• Teachers and parents supporting children with ADHD
• Managers and leaders who value an inclusive work environment

Scattered Minds (1999) takes aim at a well-established myth: that attention deficit disorder, or ADD for short, is an inherited illness. It doesn’t deny the biological foundations of the disorder – genes also play a role. But it urges us to widen our perspective and pay closer attention to psychological and social factors that may be contributing to the symptoms. ADD often develops within specific familial and societal contexts. Recognizing this isn’t just about correcting the scientific record – it offers a key to effective treatment.

• Science aficionados
• People who have attention deficit disorder
• Anyone interested in the connection between society and psychology

The Catcher in the Rye (1951) is J. D. Salinger’s classic coming-of-age novel, telling the story of the troubled young Holden Caulfield. Holden has just been expelled from school, and spends several days traversing New York City, sharing his opinions of the world around him.

• Lovers of coming-of-age stories
• Classic literature fans
• People who dislike phonies

The Myth of Normal (2022) unpacks why chronic disease and mental illness are on the rise. Western medicine focuses on individual pathologies, but what if the key actually lies in our culture? Things we consider normal – like stress, adversity, and trauma – are often toxic and breed disease. The pathway back to health rests in identifying and addressing these underlying conditions.

• Health professionals who want the bigger picture
• Lovers of a good social critique
• Anyone working through health challenges

The Body Code (2023) is a companion book to The Emotion Code and presents the author’s comprehensive system for finding and clearing energy blockages and trapped emotions that cause discomfort and disease. Only by releasing these blockages and imbalances can the body’s natural ability to heal itself be fully realized.

• Those looking for mind-body healing techniques that anyone can learn
• People looking for an easy way to release emotional baggage or address chronic symptoms
• Self-help lovers looking for healing methods based on intuition and the subconscious mind

Dirty Laundry (2023) is an honest and humorous glimpse into the daily chaos that is life with ADHD. Whether you’re diagnosed, undiagnosed, or just trying to better understand a loved one, these real-life stories and practical advice can help you learn from and live with the struggles of this chronic disorder.

• Those living with ADHD who want their struggle to be seen.
• Members of neurodivergent households looking for ways to best help the people they care about.
• Anyone who needs to take the shame, judgment, or frustration out of living with ADHD.

Making a Psychopath (2020) is a thrilling foray into the disturbed workings of the psychopathic mind. With the help of a series of case studies, it addresses many of the misconceptions about psychopaths that we often see in the media. Taking an empathetic approach, it humanizes the people who have this disorder and considers their prospects for recovery.

• Fans of the show Killing Eve
• Lovers of true crime
• Anyone who wants to know whether their boss really is a psychopath

And Finally (2022) is about a doctor becoming a patient. The process is painful for neurosurgeon and author Dr. Henry Marsh but in the end, he finds acceptance and understands what truly matters.

• Anyone transitioning to a new stage of life
• People with questions about aging
• Those whose lives have been touched by cancer

Meals She Eats (2023) combines practical advice on PCOS with easy-to-follow recipes to manage the disorder’s symptoms. Drawn from the authors’ own experiences, it shares lifestyle changes and strategies that have proven effective for them. 

• Women with PCOS
• Women suffering from period-related issues 
• Anyone who wants to eat healthier

Divergent Mind (2020) is a groundbreaking look at neurodiversity in women and girls, with a particular focus on the impacts of late diagnosis and the overall lack of clinical research.

• Those seeking more information on neurodiversity and the ways it can manifest 
• Anyone who gets overwhelmed by external stimuli from smells to sounds to surroundings – and wonders why
• Synesthetes and sensitives looking for practical ways to make their world more accommodating

Faster Than Normal (2017) explains that ADHD isn’t a disease to be diagnosed but a power to be nurtured and harnessed. If you follow certain rituals and avoid the triggers that lead to self-destructive behavior, you can utilize the full power of your brain to create an extremely productive and deeply fulfilling life.

• Anyone who wants to supercharge their brain and their life
• People with ADHD who want to understand ADHD better
• Anyone who loves or works with someone with ADHD

Rewire Your OCD Brain (2021) presents compelling evidence behind the origins of anxiety, and explains how this knowledge can be combined with easy-to-apply hacks to manage obsessive behavior and regain control over your life.

• People dealing with anxiety, compulsive behaviors, or panic attacks
• Anyone trying to understand family members or friends dealing with OCD
• Therapists helping clients to manage their obsessions

The Borderline Personality Disorder Workbook (2019) is a practical guide to taking control of your BPD. Through expert advice and actionable exercises, this empathetic resource illuminates a path beyond unhealthy beliefs and destructive behaviors. With these proven techniques, anyone with BPD can begin to improve their emotional patterns and rebuild healthy relationships.

• People diagnosed with BPD
• Those experiencing BPD-like symptoms
• Friends and family of people with BPD trying to learn about the disorder

What Your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew (2018) provides parents with insights into the challenges and experiences of children with ADHD. It focuses on the importance of communication and collaboration between parents and children, and outlines the Five Cs that will help you help your child with ADHD. Learn the skills you need to ensure your child flourishes with the brain they have.

• Parents of children with ADHD
• Teens and adults with ADHD
• Teachers and parents

The Couple’s Guide to Thriving with ADHD (2014) delves into the challenges many couples face when one or both partners have undiagnosed adult ADHD. An essential guide for couples seeking to strengthen their bond and navigate the complexities of ADHD in their relationships, it emphasizes the importance of understanding ADHD symptoms and offers strategies to enhance communication, trust, and intimacy.

• Couples seeking insight into how ADHD affects their relationship dynamics
• Individuals diagnosed with adult ADHD aiming to improve their romantic partnerships
• Counselors who want to expand their understanding of ADHD in intimate relationships

Spoon-Fed (2020) explores the widespread confusion and misinformation about nutrition, shedding light on the dearth of substantial scientific support for many prevailing food myths. The book delves into the influence exerted by the food industry on government dietary recommendations and urges readers to critically assess diet plans, official advice, and food labels, prompting a reevaluation of their relationship with food.

• Those looking to develop a healthier diet and lifestyle
• People with dietary restrictions or conditions
• Skeptics of fad diets and food marketing

How to Eat to Change What You Drink (2023) draws on cutting-edge science to reveal how food can help change your relationship with alcohol. With a comprehensive 30-day plan to optimize meal timing, food, and lifestyle changes, this guide teaches you how to eat yourself sober.

• Sober and sober-curious people
• Anyone looking to develop a healthier relationship with alcohol 
• Anyone searching for an alternative, holistic approach to sobriety and self-improvement

Gut Check (2023) explores the critical role that our gut bacteria play in determining our overall health. It argues that nurturing a healthy microbiome can lead to a longer, more vibrant life, against the backdrop of conventional dietary beliefs.

• Health enthusiasts
• Longevity seekers
• Diet skeptics

On Call (2024) is a unique memoir that offers an insider’s perspective on the challenges and triumphs of battling some of the most significant public health crises of our time. It provides valuable insights into the intersection of science, politics, and society, making it an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of modern public health in the US.

• People curious about infectious diseases
• Science buffs
• Anyone interested in the intersection of medicine and politics

Reversing Alzheimer's (2024) offers a groundbreaking perspective on combating a devastating disease, presenting evidence-based strategies to improve cognition and quality of life for those affected. Drawing from clinical practice and cutting-edge research, it provides actionable steps for patients and caregivers to fortify brain health and potentially reverse cognitive decline – challenging the notion of Alzheimer's as an inevitable fate.

• Family members and caregivers of those with Alzheimer's or dementia
• Healthcare professionals specializing in geriatrics or neurology
• People interested in preventative measures against age-related cognitive issues

Follow the Science (2024) investigates the deep influence of the pharmaceutical industry on medicine, government, and media. It highlights how profit motives and high-level collusion have led to misinformation, ethical violations, and the suppression of critical voices. It encourages you to examine the sources of your health care information critically.

• Investigative journalism enthusiasts interested in exposing industry corruption
• Healthcare professionals critical of pharmaceutical industry practices
• Anyone skeptical of mainstream media and medical narratives

Blind Spots (2024) examines how modern medicine sometimes gets crucial issues wrong, leading to widespread public harm. It explores the consequences of medical groupthink, highlighting failures like the opioid crisis and misguided dietary advice, while advocating for a more transparent and evidence-based healthcare system. Through critical topics such as nutrition, childbirth, and the microbiome, it sheds light on the gaps in medical knowledge that continue to affect patient outcomes

• Healthcare professionals seeking to improve patient-centered care approaches
• Medical students interested in understanding systemic issues in healthcare
• Anyone curious about healthcare costs and reform efforts

This Is Your Brain on Food (2020) reveals the link between diet and mental health. For people with conditions such as anxiety, depression, and ADHD, cutting out certain foods – and replacing them with healthier options – can make a real difference.

• People who want to improve their mental health
• Those struggling with depression, anxiety, ADHD, insomnia, or fatigue
• Anyone looking for specific recommendations on what to eat

The End of Alzheimer's Program (2020) provides a step-by-step plan to protect – and even restore – cognitive health. It uncovers hidden drivers of Alzheimer’s, such as inflammation, toxins, and insulin resistance, and offers practical strategies to address them. Through a targeted approach that includes diet, sleep, exercise, and personalized interventions, this program empowers you to take control of your brain health and enhance mental clarity.

• Caregivers and families of patients with Alzheimer’s
• Individuals concerned about brain health and longevity
• Medical professionals and researchers studying cognitive decline

The Gut-Brain Paradox (2025) explores how the gut microbiome profoundly influences mental clarity, emotional balance, and neurological health. It explains how modern diets and environmental factors disrupt this gut-brain connection – and how restoring microbial balance can reverse symptoms like brain fog, anxiety, and cognitive decline.

• Health-conscious adults seeking natural brain support
• Nutrition-focused biohackers exploring gut microbiome science
• Anyone interested in mind-body connections

The Headache (2025) is a deep exploration of one of the most common – and most misunderstood – human ailments. It blends personal experience with scientific investigation to reveal why headache disorders are so often dismissed, and how that’s finally beginning to change.

• People living with chronic headaches or migraine
• Friends or partners of someone with head pain
• Medical students and new doctors entering neurology

Everything Is Tuberculosis (2025) reveals how humanity’s deadliest infection is not just a biological problem but a story of profound injustice. Through the unforgettable journey of a young Sierra Leonean man named Henry Reider, you’ll discover how the disease was shaped by prejudice, why a cure that has existed for decades is withheld by corporate greed, and what it takes to fight back. It’s an urgent call to understand that the true cause of tuberculosis is injustice, and therefore, the cure must be justice.

• History buffs interested in the social impact of disease
• Activists passionate about global health equity and human rights
• Anyone curious about the intersection of medicine and society

Food Fight (2025) explores how the global food system has evolved into a structure that fuels both human ill health and environmental harm. It traces the political, economic, and cultural forces that shaped today’s food landscape, and highlights examples of successful reforms. Ultimately, it argues for urgent systemic change to prioritize people and the planet over corporate profit.

• Policy-focused professionals in global health and nutrition
• Environmentally conscious advocates of sustainable food systems
• Anyone concerned about diet and the planet

The Big One (2025) challenges your assumptions about pandemics by revealing that the next global health crisis will be far worse than COVID-19. Through a gripping, scientifically-grounded scenario, it reveals the critical failures of our past response and the essential, practical steps needed to prepare for the inevitable.

• Policymakers and public health officials looking for future-proof strategies
• Anyone who wants to understand our past pandemic response failures
• Curious minds who enjoy science-driven narratives about major global challenges

The Age of Diagnosis (2025) argues that modern medicine and culture have become increasingly fixated on labels, expanding categories of illness in ways that can overpathologize everyday experience. It examines how the search for a name – across conditions from neurodiversity to persistent, unexplained symptoms – shapes care, community, and identity, sometimes helping and sometimes harming. It ultimately calls for a more cautious, context-aware approach that balances the relief of diagnosis with the risks of stigma, overtreatment, and misplaced certainty.

• Skeptical clinicians confronting overdiagnosis and label creep
• Data-minded policymakers shaping evidence-based health guidelines
• Thoughtful people navigating modern diagnostic culture

Off the Scales (2026) explores the decades-long global race to create a long-lasting version of the GLP-1 drug semaglutide to help fight the growing diabetes and obesity epidemics. Presenting all sides of the story, from the fraught scientific competition to be the first to bring these drugs to market, to the side effects rippling through global societies, it uncovers.

• People who are interested in the medical breakthroughs changing society
• Curious minds seeking the inside story on the science behind the headlines
• Anyone who has struggled with weight, Type 2 diabetes, or is considering treatment with a semaglutide medication

Title: The Spirit Catches You and You Fall DownAuthor: Anne FadimanDescription: This book tells the story of a Hmong family in California and their struggle to navigate the American healthcare system for their daughter, who has epilepsy. It explores the clash between Western medicine and Hmong beliefs, and the tragic consequences that result from miscommunication and misunderstanding. A thought-provoking and compassionate examination of cultural differences and the impact they can have on healthcare.

that explores the clash between Western medicine and Hmong culture through the story of a young girl with epilepsy. It delves into the challenges of cross-cultural communication and the complexities of treating chronic illness in a multicultural society.