Introduction. Media create fashion trends which are connected with taking care of our appearance. People strive for physical perfection using a variety of services. These activities play an important role because they have an essential influence on our self-esteem and well-being. However ‘taking care of yourself’ is not only beautifying activities. The biggest impact on our appearance has a health condition so it is important to use so-called prevention – maintaining good health and reducing the chances of illness. Aim. Checking the awareness of society connected with the benefits which come from health prevention. Material and methods. A survey was performed on a group of 100 people aged over 16 years. The author’s questionnaire consisted of questions concerning health prevention. The survey was voluntary and anonymous. Results and conclusions. The respondents pointed lifestyle as a major factor of their health. Only a half of them were aware of the main causes of civilization diseases. It was unanimously concluded that it was important to make prevention tests and follow the health prevention principles in everyday life. Despite that fact, almost half of respondents answered that they did not benefit from health prevention programs. As a matter of fact, we can say that society is aware of the importance of prophylaxis but it does not have a reflection in reality. Media have the significant impact on a level of knowledge, so in addition they also contribute to taking health prevention and communicating between health care system and society.

Key words: prevention, health, lifestyle, civilization diseases.