Where's the evidence?—Making the case for public health

The problem, though, is that the evidence most readily accepted within the health system comes from scientific methodologies like randomised control trials, which may not be the most appropriate forms of research into health improvement activities like community development, smoking cessation and rehabilitation. If a target of health improvement is to reduce the burden of mental ill health, measures might include a reduction in the number of prescriptions of antidepressant medication (bearing in mind that increasing numbers may be a positive sign at the start of a campaign that raises awareness of the problem), the number of people with mental illnesses finding work or educational opportunities (as a means of reducing isolation) or using focus groups to discuss whether interventions to tackle the causes of stress and anxiety (for example improved community safety) have worked.