Improving Our Health

Article

Some of the major causes of death in western societies are now associated with conditions such as obesity, heart disease and alcoholism. Improving public health requires a commitment to change the individual behaviours that underpin these lifestyle-related illnesses, alongside efforts to tackle the other factors that can negatively affect health.

Some of the major causes of death in western societies are now associated with conditions such as obesity, heart disease and alcoholism. Improving public health requires a commitment to change the individual behaviours that underpin these lifestyle-related illnesses, alongside efforts to tackle the other factors that can negatively affect health.

This paper sets out some of the key challenges the Government faces in changing the public's health-related behaviour and examines the Government response. It then outlines whose behaviour we need to target by considering the impact of our environment, psychology and biological characteristics. Finally, a strategy is put forward for changing and maintaining desired health behaviours.

Related items

  1. A mother and child from behind looking out of a window

    Restoring security: Understanding the effects of removing the two-child limit across the UK

    The government’s decision to lift the two-child limit marks one of the most significant changes to the social security system in a decade.
  2. A group of healthcare professionals sitting in a staff common room in a hospital in Newcastle

    Building a healthier, wealthier Britain: Launching the IPPR Centre for Health and Prosperity

    Following the success of our Commission on Health and Prosperity, IPPR is excited to launch the Centre for Health and Prosperity.
  3. The Home Office building in London

    A ‘paradigm shift’ in asylum and immigration policy?

    In 2019, a package of asylum reforms known as the ‘paradigm shift’ was passed by a broad party consensus in the Danish parliament.