Book excerpt: The Hot Topics in Public Health series Hot Topics in Public Health consists of a series of small pocketbooks, focussing on the key public health issues identified by the UK government priorities. The books will be of use to a wide audience of students and practitioners, in the Nursing and Allied Health areas, as all students in these areas do modules on Public Health and Health Promotion, as well as those doing a diploma or degree in PH&HP. Students will find the books useful to cover assignments and on the ward, and practitioners will love the quick-reference format for use on the ward and in giving patient advice and running clinics on these topics. There will be a title providing essential information on the priority areas of: - Obesity - Smoking - Alcohol misuse - Sexual health - Mental health - Diabetes - Non-communicable diseases - Exercise - Drug misuse - Health inequalities - Boxes - Thinking points - will be of interest to practitioners - Key debates - Case studies - Current strategies – Gov. targets - Further Reading - Useful web links.