WCRF statement on Government plans for health
You may have seen in the news today that the Government has issued its Programme for Government.
We have issued the following statement in response to the plans it includes for health:
“Scientists estimate about 80,000 cases of cancer are diagnosed in the UK every year that could have been prevented through diet, physical activity and weight. There are also many more cases of chronic disease that could be prevented in this way.
“The scale of the problem is so large that it requires urgent attention and this is why it is encouraging that this document has a separate section on public health.
“We also welcome the plans to give PCTs and GPs real incentives to encourage people to make healthy lifestyle changes.
“But despite the positives, we would have liked to see the Government go further. For there to be a significant reduction in the number of preventable cancer cases, fundamental changes need to be made, from the layout of our towns and cities to the availability of fruits and vegetables in our shops.
“Last year WCRF published a Policy Report that set out recommendations for changes across society, and across government departments, that could help prevent cancer.”
