Medical excess threatens the health of individuals and the sustainability of health systems. The best available evidence demonstrates that reducing medical excess is very challenging and that there is a pressing need for more and broader work on how to move forward. A new editorial in the Cochrane Library examines these  issues and how the priorities and vision of  the new Cochrane Sustainable Healthcare field will address them.

• Read the new Cochrane Library Editorial, 'Cochrane Sustainable Healthcare: evidence for action on too much medicine'
• View the news item about the launch of Cochrane Sustainable Healthcare field