[Primary prevention from the viewpoint of social medicine--examples of prevention projects]

Life style factors play an essential role in etiology and prognosis of cardiovascular diseases; therefore, from a public health point of view, primary preventive measures are of especial importance. Health reports in the form of specific health reports (such as the Viennese Men's Health Report, the Lower Austrian Public Health Report) represent an important foundation for the matter of health promoting projects. In Austria, various preventive projects were suggested and successfully carried out because of these reports. Furthermore, the introduction of the WEBS organisation (scientific dietary counselling service) has shown that professional dietary counselling can indeed induce a change for the better in dietary behaviour and selection of foodstuffs. By the establishment of the first Austrian Institute for the Treatment of Tobacco and Nicotine Addiction (Nicotine Institute Vienna) not only is the diagnosis and treatment of tobacco addiction ensured, but it also provides information for the populace and those active in the health sector. These social public projects provide a valuable contribution to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.