Mortality rates for coronary heart disease in Ireland are amongst the highest recorded in the developed countries which provide reliable statistics. It is the consensus of health authorities worldwide, that a health promotion programme, aimed at the population as a whole can effect a reduction in the risk factors associated with the onset of coronary heart disease. The main objective of such a programme is to improve the length and quality of life. However, the probability of reducing health care costs through preventative medicine, is an added incentive, especially to a country such as Ireland which has limited public funds. Coronary heart disease prevention programmes in countries such as Finland and the United States of America were said to have been successful in causing a reduction in the incidence of, and the risk factors associated with coronary heart disease. This prompted the appeal by the Irish Heart Foundation to the Department of Health to initiate a similar programme in Ireland. The Kilkenny Health Project, the first programme of its kind in Ireland was set up in 1984. A baseline survey was carried out in County Kilkenny to be followed by a five year health promotion programme and a post programme survey. The effectiveness of the health promotion programme would be measured by the pre and post surveys and also by a comparison with a reference County, Offaly. In Offaly, there would be no health promotion between the first and final surveys. The aim of this study is to examine the elements of a community health promotion programme, and in particular the aspects of such a programme where the likelihood of a successful outcome is enhanced by effective communication. As a first step we examine theories of communication which are relevant to such a programme. Next we look at two models of coronary heart disease prevention programmes and also at aspects of public communication campaigns where failure to achieve the stated objectives of the programme was attributed to a lack of effective communication. One ...