Although adolescence is characterized by general good health, this developmental stage is a key time for promoting a healthy lifestyle and preventing health-compromising behaviors and injuries. This paper presents a selective review of research into factors predicting health and safety behavior patterns and injury occurrence, focusing on…

This report describes the methods and results of the 1999 Alaska Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) and the 1998 School Health Education Profile (SHEP). Each survey is intended to provide a better understanding of health and related programs within school settings. The YRBS asks students to report their behaviors in the six major areas of health…

This Kids Count special report examines how children born in each state fared on selected measures of a "right start." This statistical portrait is based on trends in eight indicators of well-being: (1) percent of total births to teens; (2) percent of repeat teen births; (3) percent of total births to unmarried women; (4) percent of…

This report discusses results of the 1998 Texas School Survey of Substance Abuse among Students. Results for secondary students were based on responses of 158,324 students in 66 school districts. This book is divided into six chapters. Chapter 1 discusses the findings of the survey on a drug-by-drug basis to provide information on trends in the…

Presented are the results of a survey of 18 to 34 year-old Americans regarding at-risk behaviors. Compares results to educational achievement. Predicts a widening gap between educated and non-educated Americans in terms of health related problems. (CW)

Aliteracy is defined as the quality or state of being able to read but the lack of interest in doing so; aliterates can read, but they never read for the love of reading. Aliteracy is said to be prevalent among college students. Also prevalent among college students are risk behaviors that contribute to poor health. Problem behavior theory links a…

In 2004, the Women's Sports Foundation published the first edition of "Her Life Depends On It" (Don Sabo, Kathleen E. Miller, Merrill J. Melnick, and Leslie Heywood). At that time, it was clear that evidence-based research confirmed that regular physical activity and sport provides the critical foundation, in no small part, that allows girls and…

A survey was conducted in Illinois to identify the risk of certain health problems among adolescents; to determine the health status of Illinois youth in relation to the Surgeon General's "Healthy People 2000 Objectives" and monitor progress toward national and state goals; and to help those working at national, state, and local levels…

Longitudinal studies conducted with children typically experience non-response problems that can make substantial inroads on sample size and introduce bias into the analysis. Three methods for limiting non-response in school-based research programs were assessed: (1) asking parents to return consent forms only if they do not want their children to…

This study reports grade, gender, and environmental (school structure) differences in self-reported use of tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana among urban black adolescents. Among the results are the following: (1) an equal percentage of males and females reported having "tried" cigarettes and alcohol; (2) males reportedly smoked more cigarettes…

This first volume of a two-volume set on prevention of cancer in the workplace is a teacher's guide designed to serve as a basis for lecture presentations and class discussions within the context of a formal course setting and structure. The course is organized into nine modules that can be taught using a lecture and discussion format in single…

Since many of the health problems experienced by young people are caused by preventable behaviors, such as alcohol abuse and unprotected sexual intercourse, it is important to know the extent of these behaviors among youth. The results of the 1993 Idaho Youth Risk Behavior Survey and 1992 Idaho School Health Education Survey are described in this…

This reports discusses results of the Nevada Department of Education's fifth biennial survey to assess drug and alcohol attitudes and use among students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12 (N=7,770). This 1998 survey also addresses issues of safety, violence, and school climate in keeping with the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1994.…

The relationships among drug use, health beliefs, peer use, sex, and religion were examined using data collected from 265 seventh graders in rural northern Michigan and northeastern Wisconsin in January and February of 1984. Positive relationships were found between drug use and peer use and health beliefs. (TJH)

Examined health and social factors associated with early grade retention. Factors found to be independently associated with increased risk of grade retention were: (1) poverty, (2) male gender, (3) low maternal education, (4) deafness, (5) speech defects, (6) low birth weight, (7) enuresis, and (8) exposure to household smoking. (HTH)