[Prevention and risk factors of coronary disease in the Canton of Zürich].

An intervention study is being carried out in relation to the prevention of diseases caused by atherosclerosis, especially coronary heart disease. The purpose of the study is to test in one community whether an intensive health education program, including the media (newspapers, radio and educational materials) as well as more individual instruction (lecture, group discussions, courses, exhibitions, collaboration with organizations) can modify risk factors in the population through favorable changes in the mode of life. Another community without any programs serves as a control. Questionnaires are being sent and screening examinations are being carried out in random samples of both populations before and at the end of the educational campaign in order to evaluate its effect. The plan and methods of the study are being described and the distribution of risk factors, based on the first round of examinations, is presented. A second round of examinations is due after a 12 months interval.