Yes, fear is a major factor for why people don't do risky things for potential rewards.

As for having a spouse and children or a pre-existing medical condition, you're correct that only a certain portion of the population is able to do this. We already cut it down to people with something like a STEM degree that are able to do this.

Ah yes, for all those 55 year old Gen Z'ers with a couple kids and a heart condition.

You know, you can pay for private health insurance if you don't have a job. And if you have an emergency fund or (micro) retirement fund, it should include funds for health insurance.