Science & Technology / Science & Medicine / Medical & Health Research

Overdiagnosed: How Medicine Makes Healthy People Sick

Overdiagnosed: Making People Sick in the Pursuit of Health

Gilbert Welch, Lisa Schwartz

In this eye-opening talk, Dr. Gilbert Welch and Dr. Lisa Schwartz reveal a shocking truth: the relentless pursuit of health is actually making millions of people sick. Based on their groundbreaking book 'Overdiagnosed: Making People Sick in the Pursuit of Health,' they explain how lowering diagnostic thresholds for conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol has turned healthy individuals into patients overnight. With stunning examples—like how CT scans find harmless nodules that lead to dangerous biopsies, or how PSA testing for prostate cancer causes more harm than good—they challenge the very foundation of modern medicine. Discover why early detection isn't always a lifesaver, and how you can protect yourself from unnecessary treatments. This isn't just a lecture; it's a wake-up call for anyone who's ever been told they're 'sick' when they feel perfectly fine.