What is the evidence on school health promotion in improving health or preventing disease and, specifically, what is the effectiveness of the health promoting schools approach? (2006)

The review of evidence covers mental health, aggressive behaviour, healthy eating, physical activity, substance use and misuse, driver education, and peer approaches. The report shows that effectiveness of different types of programmes varies. School-based programmes that promote mental health, healthy eating and physical activity are amongst the most effective, while programmes on preventing substance use, and suicide are among the least effective of school health promotion programmes.