Background. The aim of the study was to describe health status of the urban middle-age population in six cities of the Czech Republic, which were included into the System of Population Health Survey in Relation to the Environment. Methods and Results. From the population of cities Brno, Èeské Budìjovice, Hradec Králové, Kraviná, Kolín, Ústí nad Labem 400 males and 400 females in the age of 45 to 54 years were included into the study. All respondents filled out a question-form, half of them also underwent a medical check up. Results has shown that 52.8 % of males and 51.6 % of females had their cholesterol level elevated (>5.2 mmol/l), 47.3 % of males and 38.3 % if females had higher blood pressure (SBP>= 140 mmHg and/or DBP>= 90 mmHg) or they were cured of hypertension, 39.4 % of males and 22.5 % of females were obese. Significant differences were observed in the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, hypertension and smoking habits among the cities in study. According to the case histories, 55.6 % of males and 57.8 % of females complained of long-lasting ill-being, 37.0 % of males and 45.2 % of females were treated for a chronic disease, 13.3 % of males and 12.4 % of females considered their health during the previous years as bad or very bad. 45.4 % of males and 57.9 % of females underwent long-term pharmacological treatment, most frequently on a cardiovascular disease. Above described parameters differed significantly among cities in study. Conclusion. In the middle-aged population in six Czech cities the high prevalence of chronic diseases, health troubles and risk factors of chronic disease were found. Though the death rate in CR has been declining, chronic diseases have became a serious problem. Since most of these health problems can be improved by correct regimen, high attention should be given to their prevention.

        Key words: health status, prevalence of chronic diseases, risk factors.