{{cquote|It was the result of stress-related higher blood pressure, which he says he may have had as a result of recent controversy, including being booted from the NECSS conference. He added, however, that on February 5, he received a letter from conference organizers apologizing for disinviting him and asking him back to the conference.<ref>[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2016/02/14/richard-dawkins-gives-update-on-his-health-in-audio-message/ Richard Dawkins Gives Update on His Health in Audio Message]</ref>}}
In shortDawkins recognizes the value of medical science and said, "If you base medicine on science, you cure people."<ref>[http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/884804-science-works-planes-fly-cars-drive-computers-compute-if-you Richard Dawkins repeatedly ignored - Quote]</ref> Yet, he willfully and persistently went against the medical advice of his doctorsdespite their extensive medical training.
== Irony of new atheists engaging in unsound health practices ==
According to the ''Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy'', the [[New Atheism|new atheists]] "believe empirical science is the only (or at least the best) basis for genuine knowledge of the world, and they insist that a belief can be epistemically justified only if it is based on adequate evidence."<ref>[http://www.iep.utm.edu/n-atheis/ The New Atheists]</ref>
Doctors of medicine receive years of extensive training in fields such as biology, chemistry, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, and medical science. Additionally, they have extensive clinical experience. Furthermore, excellent doctors keep themselves abreast of the latest developments in medicine through medical journals. Yet, Dawkins disregarded the medical advice of his doctors and had poor results to show for it.
In addition, there are multiple examples of new atheists engaging in unhealthy lifestyle choices (see: [[New Atheism leaders and unhealthy lifestyles]]).