[Multi-morbidity--fate or chance?]

The increase of life expectancy in post-industrial societies also entails an increase in multimorbidity. Self-determination of the population and prevention through health organisations are imperative. In this connection different health concepts are discussed, although in most cases theoretical concepts concerning the health and illness behaviour of the population are missing. Present data show that the sphere of social epidemiology must be re-orientated. To this end, the behavioural science must also be taken into consideration in an appropriate manner. Many of the present, often activistic health-programmes are ineffective with regard to long-term impacts. There is a need to sound a warning in respect of an exaggerated economization of the health system: Self-responsibility and self-participation of patients alone cannot substantially stop the largely self-generating costs, which result from medical-technological progress on the one hand and from pretentious demands on the other hand.