[Observance of legal preventive measures and implications for a comprehensive prevention law]

The observance and realisation of a variety of prevention laws in different spheres was analysed to deal more extensively with the problem of a new comprehensive prevention law. The analysis was based on a study of the literature and on invited statements by experts, as well as on interviews conducted according to guidelines. The observance and implication of existing laws by statutory bodies differs noticeably according to prevailing traditions and individual interpretations of key concepts. In all the spheres we noticed a potential for supporting and optimising prevention. The mandatory next step would be to standardise the plethora of terms and to discuss the understanding of prevention. It is also imperative to realise on-target cooperation, to define the tasks to be accomplished, and to determine to whom they should be delegated. The financing procedure must also be determined. Modification and supplementation of existing laws would be meaningful in some cases. A new specific and comprehensive prevention law would increase the status of prevention in the German public health system and link up the involved institutions more effectively.