Since the early 1950s, 'prevention first' has been one of four major policies in China's health strategy The health status of the Chinese people has improved dramatically During the 1980s, the level of preventive health care provision and people's health status continued to improve in many areas, hut the development of health services has been unequal. These inequalities are reflected in indicators of the health status of rural populations and of the coverage of preventive health care services. This article is based on case studies of Donglan and Xunyi counties. The preventive health care services provided in the two counties are described and aspects of the delivery of services which should receive the attention of policy makers are suggested.