The French healthcare system remains heavily focused on curative care. Public health now plays a more significant role, but its development has primarily centered on public health emergencies. However, prevention and health education have gradually gained a foothold in the system since the 1990s. In 2001, the Council of Ministers approved a National Health Education Program (PNEPS), and in its wake, a ministerial circular recommended the development of Regional Health Education Plans (SREPS). In 2002, the legislature established the National Institute for Prevention and Health Education (INPES). Finally, the new public health law of 2004 provides for the establishment of a regional public health plan (PRSP) in each region. In addition to multi-year thematic programs and initiatives, this plan must include a school health and health education program. In accordance with its missions, INPES supports the strengthening of research and the development of centers of expertise in health education—these platforms for resources and services in health education and promotion provided for by the SREPS. However, these initiatives remain modest and isolated in light of the needs of this field of intervention. Linking research with the training and practices of practitioners remains a challenge. Until now, research has focused primarily on explanatory factors and rarely on intervention methods or the effectiveness of actions. Furthermore, initial training in this field remains insufficiently developed, and the content of training programs is highly disparate and poorly linked to research. The absence of a comprehensive policy on these issues constitutes a barrier to the development of this sector.[author’s abstract]