This is a cross-sectional study carried out with 258 teachers in nine public schools located in the cities of Campinas and São Jose do Rio Pardo, in the State of São Paulo, in order to describe their socio-demographic profiles, lifestyles and health and working conditions. The sample was comprised mostly by females (81.8%), married (60.8%), averaging 41.4 years of age (SD 9.2), working out (56.6%), with leisure time (93.4%) and performing home duties (88.4%). In terms of health, 20.9% did not sleep well at night and 82.1% had one of following diseases diagnosed by a physician: musculoskeletal and respiratory diseases (27.1%); injuries due to accidents and digestive diseases (22.1%), and mental disorders (20.9%). These diseases were related to the professional risks that were described: repetitive movements, chalk dust, stressing work, long working hours, work in more of one school and low wage. It was concluded that teachers are exposed to risks at schools and that prevention and health care policies should be taken by the authorities.