In a period of transition from industrial to post-industrial society with its focus on the service and information sector the nature of work is changing as well as the impact of work on human health. This paper describes leading concepts which were developed in social sciences to better account for this impact, especially so the so called job strain model. Moreover, it gives a selective, but representative review of recent empirical findings based on these concepts with coronary risk and disease as main outcome criteria. Finally, the paper discusses practical implications with regard to public health: preventive measures which aim at structural rather than individual intervention. The main focus of these measures is on work organisation and manpower policy.