Public health and prevention is one of the RCP’s three campaigning pillars. We work with leading public health organisations and alliances to tackle the biggest issues affecting the health of patients and communities.
Using our voice to advocate and shape the future of medicine is one of the strategic priorities of the RCP's 2026–30 strategy. By working in coalition with partners across healthcare, we can amplify the voice of physicians and strengthen the case for action on the causes of ill health.
The RCP has a long history of leading and supporting public health campaigns. From Smoking and health in 1962, which helped establish the link between smoking and lung cancer, to more recent work on air pollution, health inequalities, homelessness, obesity and climate change, we have consistently used evidence and physician expertise to improve population health.
Today, our public health campaigning focuses on issues including:
- health inequalities
- tobacco control
- obesity
- alcohol harm
- air quality
- climate change and sustainability.
We work with a range of public health alliances, many of which we helped to establish, to influence government, the NHS and policymakers to take action on these critical challenges. By working alongside other charities, professional bodies, patient groups and health organisations, we can make a stronger case for action on the wider determinants of health, reduce health inequalities and improve outcomes for patients.
How we shape our public health work
Our public health and prevention work is coordinated through the RCP Advisory Group on Public Health and Prevention, bringing together special advisers and subject experts from across the college. This helps ensure our campaigning remains evidence-based, clinically led and informed by the experiences of physicians and their patients.
Public health alliances we are part of
We are proud to work with a range of organisations committed to improving the nation's health.