CAM and research should be on the UK government’s top 10 for health

After the UK general election, which was dominated by requests for cleaner hospitals and shorter waiting lists, the Body and Soul section of The Times newspaper called for a government top 10 on health that truly reflected what should be at the top of the health agenda. Transparency (adequate food labels and legitimate health claims) featured at number 1. CAM was placed at number 2, highlighting the need for systems to be put in place to prevent CAM from doing more harm than good and to protect the public from treatments of dubious value. Funding for CAM research was at number 3, stating that much greater funding of research was needed into CAM and herbal medicine, vitamins and supplements as currently those who wish to investigate CAM effectiveness are prevented from doing so through financial constraints. Other health priorities for the government should include cannabis laws, sexual health, new drugs, food at school, fitness, alcohol and cosmetic surgery.

Times, Body & Soul, 7 May 2005, 2.