HEALTH PROMOTION IN SCHOOL-AGE-CHILDREN

Disadvantage in school age affects health during the remaining part of life. Health promotion might alleviate this situation. It is reasonab le to focus on mental health, since this is the leading cause of disab ility adjusted life years lost in this age group and to focus on the s chool, since this is the most important setting. Go-operation between the public health and the educational sector is rational, yet complica ted by different perspectives on knowledge and technology used in thes e two sectors. It is, however, possible to carry through a dialogue. T hen, the public health representatives have to clarify current scienti fic knowledge on health promotive characteristics of the school. Such characteristics are, enhanced health control at school, aged mixed abi lity grouping, class sizes of 15-20 students, a task oriented school c ulture and employment of skills training programmes, e.g, for tobacco deterrence.