Life-styles and health: alternative patterns.

The life-styles of Europe now stand trial. There is a risk of advocating a rejection of technology on the basis of the drop in human life expectancy, alternations in biorhythms, and the phenomenon of alienation. While health organizations could serve as springboards for change in morbific social relations, their main contribution has been to the growth of health consumption. The experience of the working class in Italy in safeguarding health and changing environmental conditions is analyzed. In spite of its difficulties, this experience can provide insight on social systems and point the way toward future progress.