Royal Society Science Book Prize Winner

Living with Risk

by British Medical Association

Summary

A wide-ranging report aimed at general readers that examines how physical, medical, and environmental hazards are measured, perceived, and managed across modern life. Drawing on epidemiology and statistics, the authors compare everyday dangers—from smoking to nuclear power—to argue that public anxiety often diverges sharply from objective probability. The book reframes risk as a tool for rational decision-making in both personal health and public policy.

Historical Context & Significance

The inaugural winner. It established the prize's early mission to highlight books that translate complex data into public safety and policy awareness.