Website of the Department of Health

Saving lives: Our Healthier Nation

This White Paper sets out the Government's action plan for tackling poor health by improving the health of everyone, and of the worst off in particular. It sets tough but attainable targets in priority areas. The paper provides ten tips for better health and is divided into three sections. 'Our Healthier Nation' looks at a new approach to saving lives and at the aims and advances in public health. It also discusses individuals and health and tackling the wider causes of ill-health within communities. 'Saving lives' deals with the specific issues of cancer, coronary heart disease and stroke, accidents, and mental health. It also looks at wider issues such as sexual health, tackling drug and alcohol problems, communicable disease, genetics and improving ethnic minorities' health. 'Making it work' discusses progress and partnership as well as standards and success. The appendix contains a list of new health contacts, with graphs and statistics included throughout. Cites numerous references.