Laws that encourage healthier lifestyles protect lives and save the NHS money

Research: Effectiveness and cost effectiveness of cardiovascular disease prevention in whole populations: modelling study. The introduction of legislation that restricts unhealthy food, for example by reducing salt content and eliminating industrial trans fats, would prevent thousands of cases of heart disease in England and Wales and save the NHS millions of pounds, finds research published on bmj.com | today. Heart disease and stroke cause over 150,000 deaths every year in the UK and yet over 80% of premature heart disease is avoidable, say the authors. They add that established research has already indicated that individuals who consume too much salt and eat food which is high in industrial trans fats have a higher risk of developing heart disease. Industrial trans fats are chemically altered vegetable oils found in thousands of processed foods from sweets and biscuits to ready meals. They are cheap, neutral in flavour and give products a long shelf life. A research team, led by Pelham Barton from the University of Birmingham's School of Health and Population Sciences, developed a modelling programme to show how specific public health interventions would prevent or delay deaths, improve quality of life and save NHS resources.