title: [Medical certificates for physical education in schools; the situation in Geneva].
abstract: The sedentarisation of youth is a major public health issue. Much hope has been placed on school physical education (PE) as a source of regular physical activity and to promote an active life style. A trans-disciplinary group counted the number of medical certificates in secondary school (11339 students), modified the existing excuse form, and generated a debate about PE. In 2000-2001, 15% of students (1688) presented medical certificates: 48% were for >3 months to one year, among which 75% were girls. The proportion of medical certificates varied from school to school (2,3 to 15%). A new form allowing to establish partial incapacity brought a 40% reduction in total medical certificates in 2002-2003.
authors.affiliation: Service de Santé de la Jeunesse, Département de l'Instruction Publique, Case postale 3682, 1211 Geneve. per.mahler@etat.ge.ch
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mahler
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bouvier
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kurer
authors.forename: J-J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Cuenod
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Houlmann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D004608:Eligibility Determination; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D010819:Physician's Role; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013557:Switzerland