Object:

This article focuses on the topics that served as theoretical reference of a doctoral dissertation. The aim is to analyze the main behaviors and factors of chronic pathologies that support the need of the promotional approach of health in the school and the whole life course, as well as its impact in the improvement of the global health of the population and the reduction of the public spending in Spain.

Materials and methods:

A critical perspective has been used from which a reflexive review of these factors in the Spanish context has been carried out, studying the need of an early approach. Factors related to diet and physical activity, oral health, toxic substance use, road safety, sexuality and emotional well-being have been analyzed.

Results:

There was a decrease in physical activity in the school stage. Three out of ten children are overweight or obese. The prevalence of oral diseases is around 40% at 6 years. Cannabis is the third most consumed drug by schoolchildren aged 14-18, after tobacco and alcohol. More than half of the deaths due to traffic accidents among young people (18-24 years old) occurred during the night and weekend. Spain is consolidated as the third country in the European Union with the highest number of abortions. Sexually transmitted infections disproportionately affect teenagers. Mental health disorders are among the four most prevalent problems of children under 15 years of age.

Conclusions:

It is concluded that educational actions carried out in schools from the earliest ages on behavioral risk factors can considerably reduce the individual, economic and social costs of chronic diseases, becoming a strategic necessity for dealing with chronic diseases, which is one of the greatest challenges facing the Spanish health system.

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