Preventing Risks and Taking Action forecast in this report would arise from strategies directed towards the minority of people at high risk above commonly used thresholds(such as severe underweight, hypertension or obesity). However, achieving this potential requires a change in"ownership"of responsibil ity for tackling these big risks-away from individuals at the extremes and towards govern ments and ministries of health tackling population-wide risk levels. Not only do governments ncrease non-personal health services, but they must also ensure much broader access to cost-effective personal health services GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITY FOR HEALTH REDUCING MAJOR RISKS TO HEALTH WILL PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT There are several other compelling reasons for governments to play a greater role in tackling major risks to health The most important rationale for dealing with major risks is, of course, a humanitarian one. However, it is increasingly development Reducing major risks to health will promote sustainable clear that investment in health is also a means of stimulating economic growth and reducing poverty. The development goals. Reducing major risks can reduce inequities in society that challenge governments cannot be reached in the face of. Governments need to prioritize and focus on the most widespread ill-health, particularly among poor people. Alle viation of hunger and malnutrition is a fundamental prerequ ite for poverty reduction and sustainable development. In many Exercising stewardship means fulfilling the government's responsibility to protect its citizens countries, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa, the AIDs epidemic is a national emergency that undermines develop ment, compounding the impact of conflict, food shortages and other causes of poverty. It drives and perpetuates the poverty of individuals, families and societies. Promoting safe sex to reduce HIVIAIDS must be at the core of public policy, of poverty reduction strategies, of action for sustainable development, and of human security. It requires intensive and con erted action by many different agencies across different sectors, coordinated by go ment REDUCING MAJOR RISKS CAN REDUCE INEQUITIES IN SOCIETY Almost all the risk factors assessed in this report occur more commonly in the poor, who typically also have less autonomy and fewer resources to reduce risks While personal serv- ices are more likely to be adopted by the well-off, and hence may even increase inequali ties, government-directed population-wide changes can benefit whole communities. The benefits of such changes are likely to be greatest in the poor among whom risks are great est, and thus inequalities will be reduced. Tackling major risks has the potential to substan tially reduce inequalities worldwide. GOVERNMENTS NEED TO PRIORITIZE AND FOCUS ON THE MOST IMPORTANT RISKS Many major risks require considerable resources to forge the essential social consensus required for tackling them. For example, a mixture of public and private sector agreements and legislation are required to create the social milieu for health gains resulting from to- bacco taxation or gradual changes to food manufacturing. Achieving such changes in the social milieu are a substantial challenge for govenments. Since all risks cannot be targeted simultaneously, there should be a focus on those with the greatest potential for short and long-term improvement.Preventing Risks and Taking Action 165 forecast in this report would arise from strategies directed towards the minority of people at high risk above commonly used thresholds (such as severe underweight, hypertension or obesity). However, achieving this potential requires a change in “ownership” of responsibil￾ity for tackling these big risks – away from individuals at the extremes and towards govern￾ments and ministries of health tackling population-wide risk levels. Not only do governments need to increase non-personal health services, but they must also ensure much broader access to cost-effective personal health services. GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITY FOR HEALTH REDUCING MAJOR RISKS TO HEALTH WILL PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT The most important rationale for dealing with major risks is, of course, a humanitarian one. However, it is increasingly clear that investment in health is also a means of stimulating economic growth and reducing poverty. The development goals that challenge governments cannot be reached in the face of widespread ill-health, particularly among poor people. Alle￾viation of hunger and malnutrition is a fundamental prerequi￾site for poverty reduction and sustainable development. In many countries, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa, the AIDS epidemic is a national emergency that undermines develop￾ment, compounding the impact of conflict, food shortages and other causes of poverty. It drives and perpetuates the poverty of individuals, families and societies. Promoting safe sex to reduce HIV/AIDS must be at the core of public policy, of poverty reduction strategies, of action for sustainable development, and of human security. It requires intensive and con￾certed action by many different agencies across different sectors, coordinated by govern￾ment. REDUCING MAJOR RISKS CAN REDUCE INEQUITIES IN SOCIETY Almost all the risk factors assessed in this report occur more commonly in the poor, who typically also have less autonomy and fewer resources to reduce risks. While personal serv￾ices are more likely to be adopted by the well-off, and hence may even increase inequali￾ties, government-directed population-wide changes can benefit whole communities. The benefits of such changes are likely to be greatest in the poor among whom risks are great￾est, and thus inequalities will be reduced. Tackling major risks has the potential to substan￾tially reduce inequalities worldwide. GOVERNMENTS NEED TO PRIORITIZE AND FOCUS ON THE MOST IMPORTANT RISKS Many major risks require considerable resources to forge the essential social consensus required for tackling them. For example, a mixture of public and private sector agreements and legislation are required to create the social milieu for health gains resulting from to￾bacco taxation or gradual changes to food manufacturing. Achieving such changes in the social milieu are a substantial challenge for governments. Since all risks cannot be targeted simultaneously, there should be a focus on those with the greatest potential for short and long-term improvement. There are several other compelling reasons for governments to play a greater role in tackling major risks to health: • Reducing major risks to health will promote sustainable development • Reducing major risks can reduce inequities in society • Governments need to prioritize and focus on the most important risks • Exercising stewardship means fulfilling the government’s responsibility to protect its citizens