Fluoridation in Britain today

The privatised water industry and public health: back to square one

No real progress has taken place in implementing new water fluoridation schemes within the UK since the ownership of most water companies passed into the private sector. A recent High Court judgement has confirmed that English water companies have absolute and unfettered discretion in deciding not to proceed with any new fluoridation schemes. Current legislation must be changed if this important public health measure is to be extended to benefit a greater number of people.

Controversies in cancer epidemiology

The histories of three controversies are described: fluoridation of water supplies and the risk of cancer; whether oral contraceptives cause breast cancer; and the role of self-examination in the prevention of cancer. For the future, some new controversies are already predictable. As well as the scientific debate around these topics, the roles of politics, the media, and pressure groups are discussed. The epidemiologist's responsibility to ensure that the correct interpretation of data is made clear to the public is considered.