[Preventive medical measures in the federal republic of germany. Present status and problems (author's transl)].

Following brief introductory remarks on the term "preventive medicine", an outline is presented of its evolvement during the last 20 years in the Health Services of the Federal Republic of Germany. Thereby, it becomes apparent that the development of single screening efforts, e.g. to detect unknown cases of diabetes and to make special model studies, especially in Baden-Württemberg, has led to comprehensive legal motherhood care, health care for young children, early detection of cancer, and detection of diabetes cases. Problems have arisen due to the generally very low utilization of preventive medical examinations and because of the question as to whether premorbid health conditions should be included in the preventive medical program additionally. Finally, indications are given for the necessity to examine possibilities of curtailing expenditures in the present preventive medical care program, or in some of its branches, without forfeiting the efficiency of the preventive measures. Thereby, it must be considered that these measures are benefiting only that part of the population which is socially insured. The claim to measures for health protection, however, should be available to the entire population as a basic human right.