Health enhancing physical activity in all policies? Comparison of national public actors between France and Belgium.

Despite evidence on the benefits of health enhancing physical activity (HEPA), only few countries have developed "health in all policies" and specifically integrated HEPA policies. Paucity of studies have questioned the role of public national actors in PA policies enactment and delivery, the barriers and levers for adopting cross-sectoral HEPA. The present work seeks at comparing France and Belgium in regard to their competencies of ministries promoting HEPA, the presence of leadership and coordination in HEPA policies implementation, their key public legal entities working on HEPA.

[Preventive health care and health promotion: Which models for supporting the evolution of clinical practice in primary health care?].

Objectives: Published operating models about preventive health care and health promotion in primary care were sought with the aim of (1) compiling a functional inventory; and (2) to formulate working hypotheses for the improvement of clinical practice towards more efficiency and more equity.

Methods: Narrative literature review, using keywords related to the various prevention classes, health promotion, primary care, practice models and health care delivery. The diversity of models led to a multi-criteria analysis.

Workers' perception of chemical risks: a focus group study.

Workers' perceptions with respect to health and safety at work are rarely taken into account when considering the development of prevention programs. The aim of this study was to explore workers' perceptions of chemical risks at the workplace, in order to investigate the prerequisites for a workplace health program. A qualitative study was conducted involving seven focus groups of 5-10 participants (blue-collar workers) each.

School health promotion: organization of services and roles of health professionals in seven European countries.

Background: This comparative study is intended to provide a better understanding of how health promotion services are organized in school settings in Europe and to show how health professionals involved outside or within the school setting help to improve young people's health.

Methods: This study was based on an analysis of school health policies and the organization of school health services, where these existed, as well as on interviews with health and education professionals. The countries concerned were Belgium (French-speaking community), Denmark, France, Spain (Catalonia), Switzerland (Jura), Poland and Portugal.

[Neglected children: birth, life and survival].

Child neglect leads to numerous and serious consequences. The physical and neurophysiological development can be altered by the lack of stimulation or via a chronic stress which increases the production of cortisol. Gradually, psychomotor and cognitive deficits can appear.

[Developing local actions: allowing individual talents be expressed and utilised within a strategic framework].

The Regional Health Programme of Children and Adolescents in Province Alpes Cote d'Azur (PRSJ), developed between March 1998 and May 1999, is characterised by its scope and complexity. It is more a strategic framework for action than an operational programme. To carry out this action, it was adapted to the level of intervention, on the one hand, using instruments at the regional level adapted for professional interventions, and, on the other hand, through the development of territory-based approaches founded on the creation of networks.

Characteristics of adolescent attempts to manage overweight.

This study evaluates the actions taken by obese adolescents in an attempt to lose weight in relation to changes in weight. Particular emphasis is put on the context surrounding the management process. Thirty one obese adolescents aged 14-18 participated in this study.