[National Research Program 1A: Health Education interventions in Aarau: overview and implementation]

The National Research Program 1A is a community-oriented primary prevention intervention trial. The concepts central to the community-oriented approach are the following: the resources of the community should be utilized at an optimal level (mobilization), the community and its different groups should actively participate during the whole planning and implementation of a primary prevention programme which attempts to modify behaviour (participation), any new activities within the programme should be integrated in the existing network of medical and social services (integration). The structure underlying the implementation of the local intervention programme in Aarau is discussed: health action committees, the participation of municipal authorities and other institutions, the organization of the health education campaign itself (facilities, personnel, finances). An overview over the health education interventions developed during 1978-80 and the number of participating individuals demonstrates that the community-oriented approach to primary prevention is feasible.