Prevention

Can policy be more preventive?

In our the first of our new Innovations in Public Policy series, Paul Cairney (Professor of Politics and Public Policy at the University of Stirling), John Boswell (Professor of Politics at the University of Southampton) and Emily St.Denny (Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Copenhagen) discuss Prevention.

Prevention is periodically promoted by UK and devolved governments seeking to new ways to reduce social inequalities and the costs of public service. However, these initiatives often appear and disappear quickly, usually with a limited impact. Why does this happen? This piece suggests that preventative proposals often lack clarity, are not congruent with routine government business, and lack the capacity to endure. Utilising new research carried out in collaboration with the NHS Confederation, the authors examine how prevention could be made more effective.

Can policy be more preventive?

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