This document summarizes some of the major developments now underway in health promotion and disease prevention and reviews the federal contribution to achievement of prevention objectives. The first chapter focuses on opportunities in health promotion which offer the key to many potential improvements in the national health status profile and which are priorities for the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Chapter 2 displays, in chart form, aspects of health-related trends, both for the population as a whole and for five age categories. Health trends depicted in these charts highlight the major causes of diseases and death for each age group. The third chapter reviews the prevention roles of the DHHS agencies and provides highlights of recent, prominent agency accomplishments in prevention. A complete picture of DHHS activities, directed toward improving the general health status of the American people, is provided. Chapter 4 presents a comprehensive inventory of health promotion and disease prevention programs and activities within the DHHS. This publication includes numerous charts, figures, and tables. (JMK)