The creation of healthful living conditions has contributed to improving health and prolonging life in Germany and worldwide. Despite this progress, avoidable behavioural, occupational and environmental risk factors still contribute considerably to the burden of disease in Germany. Many of these risk factors are strongly influenced by political determinants. The coalition agreement outlining the agenda of Germany's federal government for 2018-2022 provides insights regarding relevant political priorities and plans. We performed qualitative content analysis of the coalition agreement signed on March 12, 2018 by Germany's governing parties with regard to content related to disease prevention and health promotion. We present results in tables and narratively and discuss them against the background of evidence-based scientific recommendations and in the national and international political context. The coalition agreement discusses various measures to strengthen disease prevention in and health promotion in general, to support the prevention of specific disease groups, and to reduce the burden of a number of behavioural, occupational and environmental risk factors. This includes an evaluation and reform of Germany's Law for Health Promotion and Prevention, a strengthening of relevant research capacities, the development of a national obesity strategy, and measures to increase vaccination rates. The extensive discussion of health promotion and disease prevention in the coalition agreement is laudable. However, the agreements fail to mention a number of important approaches, such as the regulation of tobacco and alcohol marketing and food and beverage taxation. Moreover, many statements remain vague. Adoption and implementation of effective measures will therefore require the attention and political pressure from the scientific community, civil society, the media, and members of the parliament from both government and opposition parties. The mid-term evaluation of the coalition agreement will be an opportunity to critically examine the government's achievement to date.