[Theoretical bases of health education in cardiology: prevention of rheumatic diseases].

Today also in Italy rheumatic disease shows a reduction of its prevalence, however it is still significant present in South Italy, especially among poorer and less educated social groups. We have to research the reasons why there is not yet an effective antistreptococcus vaccine, why there is not a penicillinic prophylaxis quite accurate and capillary, moreover why there is little interest among the majority of politicians and medical personnel regarding those social and sanitary situations, which encourage the rheumatic disease in the poor. Especially in the South, in spite of diffused improvement of the economic welfare, a good health education program has not developed. It should be done by law methodically and very seriously, inside and outside the hospitals, the schools and in the communities, taking advantage of all means especially radio and television, which are now only used for advertisements, that often are only diseducative.