In July and August 1975, 138 rural residents of Armstrong County, Pennsylvania were interviewed as to their behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes regarding the prevention of cancer and coronary heart disease. Respondents were selected by interviewing an adult living on a commercial farm (a farm that either sold $10,000 or more produce per year or the operator worked more than half time on the farm), and then interviewing an adult in the rural nonfarm residence closest to that commercial farm. Interviews were conducted with 71 farm residents and 67 nonfarm residents. Each respondent was asked 167 questions pertaining to: the seriousness and susceptibility of the disease, early detection, their knowledge about the disease, high blood pressure, diet and weight control practices, and medical services. Each person rated eight selected diseases as to their seriousness and susceptibility. Findings included: cancer was felt to be the most serious illness with heart disease ranking second; 29% felt they were likely to have heart disease; 27% perceived themselves as likely to have cancer; 35% could name either 1 or none of the 7 cancer signs; 87% had had their blood pressure checked within the past 18 months; and 66% felt that it was easy to get an appointment with a doctor for a complete physical examination. (NQ)