The objective of this study was to determine if community based health education programs increased knowledge and health behavior in older adults. The study was a pretest-posttest design with a convenience sample of 111 independent community dwelling older adults. Participants received two disease prevention education presentations: type 2 diabetes and colorectal cancer. Knowledge was assessed as the difference in pretest and posttest scores on the Diabetic Prevention Knowledge Test (DPKT) and the Colorectal Cancer Knowledge Questionnaire (CCKQ). Health behavior change was assessed as the difference between pre and posttest scores on the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II Physical Activity and Nutrition subscales and completion of the fasting blood glucose (FBG) and fecal occult blood test (FOBT). There was a significant difference in paired pretest-posttest scores on the DPKT (t = -7.678, p = 0.000) and CCKQ (t = -6.115, p = 0.000). While the mean posttest score on the Physical Activity subscale was significantly higher (t = -4.094, p = 0.000), the Nutrition subscale mean posttest score was not significantly different (t = -1.166, p = 0.246). A greater proportion of participants completed the FBG (84%) than the FOBT (50%). For this profile of independent older adults, community based health education resulted in greater knowledge and limited behavior change.