The experience of illness
This book is informed by Snyder's own experiences with illness and malaise. In 2019, Snyder himself suffered from a life-threatening illness, and through this, he experienced a lack of faith in the American healthcare system and a sense of disillusionment. However, he does not blame this on individual doctors or nurses but instead suggests that he was failed as a result of the way the healthcare system operates on a wider scale.
The public malady
At Snyder states in his prologue, this book is about the "common American" malady or the public malady. He explains that "our malady is a physical illness and the political evil that surrounds it," meaning that the political response to illness and healthcare creates unnecessary suffering for many individuals. He also argues that the fear created by illness and the inadequate response to illness ultimately impinges on people's personal liberty.
The importance of good health
Throughout the book, Snyder emphasizes how important it is for the American public to be in good health. This is because they are then in a better position to demand that certain basic rights are met, such as personal happiness and liberty. As such, he argues that the current climate in American healthcare is not conducive to happy and free citizens, because many health issues are overlooked.
