The effect of a health education course guided by peers aged 55 and over was evaluated. The aim of the course was to empower older adults to participate in society and to promote their wellbeing. Evaluation included determining the effect on attitude toward aging, self-efficacy, perception of the societal opinion regarding the place of the elderly in society (social influence), social participation, perceived social support, and wellbeing of the participants aged 55 to 79 years. A quasi-experimental approach was used. The effect on the experimental group of course participants was studied compared to a control group of older adults on the waiting list. The respondents filled out postal questionnaires at three time points (before starting the course (t(0)), immediately after termination (t(1)) and three months later (t(2))). Using a multivariate analysis procedure, a significant interaction effect between time of measurement and group membership was found with respect to the outcome of social influence. At t(1) an effect was absent, but at t(2), the current idea that elderly occupy a marginal position in society. found less favour with the experimental group than the control group. Moreover perceived social support and subjective health improved significantly at t(1) and t(2) among the course members, when compared to the control group. No effect was found on attitude, self-efficacy, social participation and wellbeing in the short time span of a three months follow-up. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.