The author, Director of the Bureau of Health Education, Center for Disease Control, discusses (1) an emerging shift in government policy from treatment to prevention in matters of health; (2) the need for developing a definition of reasonable expectations upon which to base health education efforts; and (3) three general interests at the national level which are receiving high priority attention--the immunization of children, a campaign against smoking, and a reduction in unwanted pregnancies, especially among adolescents. (MJB)