[School health: toward a new policy regarding health in the school]

Education promotes health: this long standing observation is based on numerous population-based observations relating the education level with overall welfare and poor socioprofessional abilities with diminished health status. To achieve health promotion through education, health promotion programs must be integrated within schooling system and professional education. An analyse of the current program of school medicine in several Swiss cantons is presented. Critics and proposals aimed to a reform of the system are discussed. The major objective of these proposals is to increase health protection at school. The education and training of physician acting in the schools most be better defined. Less emphasis should be given to screening and assessment of somatic conditions. The teachers must be given a larger place in health promotion. The programs have to be adapted to the specific problems of each age. The key of success is a networking, with interdisciplinary teams, well educated and highly motivated.