[Improving the effectiveness of health education]

Discussions concentrated on ways of influencing the behavior of healthy individuals. The following was concluded; 1. Health education is an interdisciplinary activity. It should not merely be aimed at the behavior of individuals but also respect and influence values and institutions of society as well as legislation. 2. Family and school are the most important fields of activity. 3. Health education should be based on experiences from communication sciences. 4. In school, health education should be integrated in as many subjects as possible. Of special importance are the example of the teachers and adequate preparation and training. 5. Health education cannot limit itself to giving information, it also must motivate to a healthy way of life. 6. Exchange of experiences and information in health education should be improved. In Switzerland this can be done by a working party of the Swiss Society for Social and Preventive Medicine. 7. The intervention trials of the Swiss National Research Program can provide important stimuli for innovative approaches to health education is Switzerland.