A board-certified emergency medicine physician has written a book detailing 99 ways people die-and how to avoid them.
At a Glance
- Dr. Ashley Alker wrote “99 Ways to Die and How to Avoid Them” to prevent emergency room visits
- The book covers everyday household poisons to regrettable sex-related incidents
- Her motivation stems from caring for her mother who survived lymphoma and multiple health complications
- Why it matters: The book translates complex medical information into accessible advice for the general public
After confronting death daily in the emergency room, Dr. Ashley Alker decided to fight back against preventable deaths through education rather than just treatment. Her new book explores the 99 most terrifying, interesting and unfortunate ways to die while providing a roadmap for avoidance.
From Patient to Physician
Alker’s journey to medicine began with her mother’s lymphoma diagnosis shortly after her birth. In an era when the cancer was considered a death sentence, her mother was given six months to live but miraculously survived. However, the treatments left lasting effects including open-heart surgery, a brain tumor, autoimmune hepatitis and pulmonary hypertension before age 50.
“My family is distinctly non-medical,” Alker explains. “We had difficulties understanding what was happening when my mom was sick. A doctor would speak in incomprehensible medical jargon, and then we would pass the nonsensical message down like a game of telephone.”
This communication breakdown inspired Alker to become what she calls a “medical translator.” She majored in molecular, cellular and developmental biology in college before discovering pre-med programs and diving into the competitive field.
The Making of a Death Prevention Expert
Alker’s path included:
- 13 years of college, graduate school, medical school and residency
- Graduate studies in public health at Harvard’s International Institute in Cyprus
- Medical school at George Washington University
- Emergency medicine residency at University of California, San Diego
During medical school, she became her mother’s caregiver after a brain tumor diagnosis, using her education to translate medical information for her family.
Finding Purpose After Loss
Tragedy struck during Alker’s final year of medical school when her mother died. “She was my purpose and my best friend,” Alker says. “To overcome overwhelming loss, I needed a new purpose.”
This purpose evolved into helping others understand medicine and prevent unnecessary deaths. Alker began:
- Giving a TEDx Talk on understanding dying
- Working as a healthcare consultant for Congress
- Writing medical stories for national newspapers
- Serving as medical advisor for television and film
The Book That Could Save Lives
“99 Ways to Die and How to Avoid Them” covers everyday household poisons to regrettable sex-related incidents. While not medical advice, Alker positions it as “more enlightening than a Google search that incorrectly diagnoses all symptoms as cancer.”
The book represents Alker’s dual mission: preventing emergency department visits while educating the public about avoidable dangers in daily life.
Key Takeaways
- Preventable accidents remain a leading cause of death
- Medical literacy can save lives through early recognition and avoidance
- Family health crises can inspire careers in medicine
- Emergency physicians see patterns in preventable deaths that education could stop
“99 Ways to Die and How to Avoid Them” is available now wherever books are sold.
