Prevention in healthcare: turning words into action
The phrase "prevention is better than cure" remains largely unfulfilled in the UK, despite government efforts to shift the NHS focus from treatment to prevention. The Wanless review, commissioned in 2002, emphasized health improvement as essential for reducing NHS demand, yet progress has stagnated, with life expectancy declining for many. To make prevention a reality, action is crucial, especially as chronic illnesses rise, leading to economic inactivity and avoidable deaths. The UK spends £100 billion annually on obesity, disproportionately affecting poorer communities, highlighting a failure in social justice. Preventive measures in nutrition,...