How Not to Die fits squarely within the broader cultural shift toward plant-based diets and holistic approaches to health that have gained significant traction in recent years. This movement is largely a response to the growing prevalence of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, which are often linked to the consumption of processed foods, red meat, and high-fat diets. In this cultural context, there is an increasing awareness of the potential health benefits of a plant-based diet, which is reflected in the book’s emphasis on the preventive and curative properties of whole, plant-based foods.

The book also addresses the cultural and societal influences that shape dietary habits, such as the marketing of unhealthy foods and the normalization of diets high in animal products. Greger challenges these norms by presenting scientific evidence that supports a plant-based diet as not only a healthier alternative but also as a way to combat the lifestyle-related diseases that plague modern society. This cultural context forms the foundation for the urgency of the book’s message and its alignment with a growing global movement that seeks to transform how people eat and think about food.