This Cancer Prevention book series aims to complement the research reported in the journal Cancer Causes and Control. Volumes in this series will summarize the state of the science from causes to prevention of cancer. The scope will be international. The past 20 years has seen an explosion of epidemiologic material on the causes of cancer. Examples include the growing number of studies of physical activity and colon cancer which have emerged and the numerous studies of components of diet such as alcohol and the risk of specific cancers. Major shifts in resource allocation now focus on translation of this new knowledge to actual cancer prevention programs. Researchers, practicing clinicians, and those who write and implement public health policy need this information summarized in an easily accessible format. The abundance of knowledge, increasing understanding of how to communicate risk of cancer to the public, and greater public awareness of cancer, make the coming years ones in which we will see many new attempts at widespread cancer prevention programs. For example, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention launched a national colon cancer awareness campaign in early 1999.

This volume provides a new and innovative overview of the key debates relating to public health policy in the UK and sets out the policy implications for the future, offering a way forward based on the concept of managing for health.

* A timely and innovative overview of the key debates relating to public health policy in the UK.
* explains that health-care services are not the principal determinants of health, and asks why, therefore, they absorb the bulk of resources and attention of policy-makers.
* Argues that a paradigm shift is needed if current health policy biases are to be confronted.
* Uses examples from Europe and Canada, where a similar policy imbalance exists.
* Sets out the policy implications for the future and offers a way forward based on the concept of managing for health.