PIP: UNESCO's work in the field of health promotion is aimed at improving the quality of life of the world's people through an interdisciplinary effort. Health promotion and education are defined broadly, as the provision of the skills, knowledge, and attitudes conducive to health and well-being. Similarly, health education is considered to occur in a variety of settings--from schools to field operational projects to cooperative programs with Member States to community activities. Of greatest concern is meeting the basic health and educational needs of the most disadvantaged, marginalized sectors--a goal that requires viewing health within its broader social and economic context. Poverty makes children more vulnerable to endemic diseases and nutritional disorders, and in turn undermines the effectiveness of school-based interventions, unless it is addressed directly. School feeding programs (preferably based on parent participation and indigenous foodstuffs) may be necessary to relieve children's hunger and facilitate learning. In some cases, schools themselves are sources of disease as a result of overcrowded classrooms, poor ventilation, and a lack of clean water and latrines. In regions where health services are not easily accessible, it may be necessary to train teachers to recognize health problems such as parasitic infections, malaria, and visual and hearing disorders and to provide limited first aid. Since school children in developing countries are within 5-10 years of childbearing age, investments in increasing their knowledge of health, nutrition, and family planning provide substantial returns.