This paper presents the findings of a survey conducted in Claiborne County, in southwest Mississippi. The survey focused on three different areas: (l) demographic data and food practices including food frequency for 1,000 households, (2) dietary intake of individuals for 250 households, and (3) nutritional evaluation by health history, clinical examination, biochemical determination, and anthropometric measurements for 400 persons in this county. This paper deals with the findings of the health history, based on interviews with a total of 304 persons aged 5 and over. Disease patterns showed sex and age differences. Most of the diseases were more prevalent in females than in males, especially beyond the age of 34. These diseases included anemia, hypertension, heart disease, obesity, and arthritis. However, some disabilities were found more frequently in males. These included fractures, major operations, work disability, peptic ulcers, liver and prostrate diseases. Asthma had the highest frequency of occurrence among children. A small percentage of the children had been treated or hospitalized for other diseases. (Author/AM)