[Problems in prophylaxis under the conditions of public health reform]

The indicators of medicosocial significance of prophylaxis in present-day Russia have been determined on the basis of published data and authors' findings. The weak and strong aspects of the problem are assessed, as are the potentialities of solving it and factors threatening its realization. Problems in the prophylactic activities of general practitioners (family physicians) and problems in the development of prophylaxis within the framework of medical insurance are discussed.