Ruth Jepson – författare

Preventive medical interventions and non-medicalised public health programmes that promise health benefits in the future, from actions taken now, carry a strong ethical requirement of 'first, do no harm' or primum non nocere. New preventive advice and interventions are being promoted on a daily basis, Disease Prevention: A Critical Toolkit provides a set of appraisal tools to guide those considering a preventive action to make sure that it is effective (does more good than harm), efficient (is a competitive use of scarce resources), and equitable in its impact across society. Case studies and worked examples illustrate the risks and benefits of specific preventive interventions. Divided into 10 chapters this practical and concise book focuses on multiple aspects of prevention including the hierarchy of preventive options; the assessment of causation; finding and appraising scientific evidence; prevention directed at entire populations (as opposed to individuals); measuring chronic disease risk factors and medically managing them: statin treatment of high cholesterol; PSA screening for prostate cancer; genetic screening for future disease risk; and assessing the health equity implications of prevention. Aimed at front-line public health and primary care professionals, Disease Prevention: A Critical Toolkit will equip them with the up-to-date skills necessary to help them better inform and serve their patients and communities.

A highly practical guide to public health intervention development. This book has been developed to assist anyone involved with effective health promotion project design. It cuts through the complex theories and technical frameworks to provide a 6 step formula for creating effective and sustainable interventions. Key features Adopts a pragmatic approach that addresses barriers and challenges to project delivery Utilises the Six Steps in Quality Intervention Development framework - a unique model designed specifically to improve intervention planning Combines the theory and concepts behind intervention development with practical methods of delivery on the ground Includes detailed case studies that provide examples of how the six steps can be used for successful intervention design As the health needs of an increasingly globalised world continue to evolve and shift, effective planning and intervention work will only become more important. Written by leading researchers and experts who draw on a wealth of experience in the field, this book will be essential reading for any student, practitioner or policy maker requiring an understanding of practical intervention design.