The Environment and Health Atlas for England and Wales

Book excerpt: The Environment and Health Atlas for England and Wales is an authoritative collection of over 80 full colour maps showing geographic patterns of common environmental exposures and diseases of public health importance, along with interpretive text, which gives an analysis of mortality, cancer incidences and other health data in England and Wales. Each chapter provides an overview of the evidence on potential health impacts of environmental agents, particularly how they might relate to the geographical variations in disease risk. The health maps show recent time trends within England and Wales and, where available, comparative maps of Europe and the world, and provides summary statistics for the data presented. This information is also discussed in the context of other risk factors. The Environment and Health Atlas for England and Wales informs policy-makers and the public on the geographic patterns of disease and potential exposure to various pollutants, and assists in developing hypotheses and research into the reasons for variability in disease risk that may relate to environmental exposures. It is essential reading for public health professionals and academics from within the field of public health, epidemiology, health geography and statistics.