In this issue we have plenty to stimulate and arouse discussion. In six editorials, we range between the tantalising finding of a causal association between suicide rates and the political complexion of government and the complexity of public health issues relating to molecular epidemiology and environmental cancer.

See pages 722–731

Our gallery focuses on traditional healers in the Americas, and reminds us that part of the legacy of the colonial period— and now of the new colonial era of globalisation—has been to undermine capacity as represented by traditions that have built on observation down the generations, and in substituting a narrow Western-reductionism have often distorted priorities to the disadvantage of the people. Hope, in this case, comes from the Andes.

See page 733

One year on from the atrocity at the …