[Chronic diseases of the respiratory tract (proceedings)]

On account of their increasing social-medical importance chronic diseases of the respiratory tract demand systematic measures for prevention and combat. The size of the problem is described on the basis of the results of epidemiologic investigations. Issuing from the risk degrees of the cardio-respiratory insufficiency (obstruction, hypoxaemia, pulmonary hypertension) care groups are proposed. The combat against tobacco smoking (primary prevention) and long-term treatment of the chronic obstructive bronchitis (tertiary prevention) stand in the foreground of the measures. The solution of this task demands a close cooperation with the basic medical care.