Some historical notes and remarks on prevention in environmental and occupational health

Throughout history, there are many illustrations showing more or less rational efforts to avoid disease, but preventive measures have often been, and still are, neglected or even counteracted for economic reasons. Some examples of early preventive actions are given along with illustrations of how the increasing knowledge through epidemiological and other research has created a foundation for adequate decisions to the benefit of health protection, although frequently taken after much discussion and considerable time-lag from the first evidence of a particular health risk. There is also an inherent problem in successful health protection since both public and political support for the issue might get lost along with the scientific activity and knowledge in the field.