Preventing Coronary Heart Disease : Prospects, Policies, and Politics

Drawing on the disciplines of sociology, politics and epidemiology,the author analyses Governmental and other policies for the prevention of heart disease and looks at the feasisbility of such policies and obstacles barring their adoption.

Coronary Heart Disease is the major cause of death in the UK, being responsible for thirty-one percent of male deaths and for twenty-four percent of female deaths in 1987 in England and Wales. Preventing Coronary Heart Disease examines these statistics and focuses specifically on policies for its prevention by the Government, general practitioners, and concerned groups. Michael Calnan looks at the feasibility and effectiveness of these health policies and the obstacles in the way of their adoption. Drawing mainly on the discipline of politics, sociology, and epidemiology the author begins by examining the epidemiological case for prevention, and then analyses what the UK Government is doing and can do. The Government''s policy is based on the role of primary care in prevention and the author discusses how this can be taken on board by GPs, concerned groups and the general public. Coronary heart disease is of major concern to all those working in health and related industries, as well as to individuals. This book is the first study of the policies of prevention of the disease and will be invaluable reading for students of health studies, and social policy as well as professionals working in health care.