This is the central theme of Professor Rose's personal and unique book, in which he presents his ideas drawn from many year of work on preventive medicine strategies. Now in available in paperback, he explores the options for prevention, considering them from various view points - theoretical and scientific, sociological and poitical, practical and ethical. He contrasts the individual and population based strategies for prevention, and offers the concept of health as an issue for populations and not just for individuals. The applications of his ideas are illustrated by a variety of examples ranging from heart disease to alcoholism and roa accidents. Professor Rose, who has pioneered thinking on preventive medicine, hbas written an accessible book which will appeal to a wide range of readers, including clinicians, epidemiologists, public health workers, health service managers, and anyone who is concerned with the wider public issues of health.