Good health is important to a child's ability to learn in school and succeed in life. This guide is intended for the use of health and education professionals who are working with a national campaign designed to teach parents and parents-to-be the critical connection between good health and their children's ability to learn. The campaign deals…

This packet of materials on smoke-free child care contains: (1) "Smoke Free Child Care," a booklet warning child care providers about the dangers of second-hand smoke and the fact that children often imitate adult behaviors, such as smoking; (2) "Smoke-Free Child Care: A Booklet for Family Day Care Providers," warning about the…

This annotated bibliography provides information on important resources on firearm injuries. It is divided into two sections: (1) New Resources, including journal articles (28 titles), reports and books (15 titles), other resources (13 titles), and popular press (3 titles); and (2) Classics, including journal articles (10 titles), reports and…

This report documents school districts that have adopted safer pest management policies, such as integrated pest management (IPM), in response to state requirements or as a voluntary measure that exceeds state law. It also documents the state of local school pest management policies and illustrates the opportunities that exist for better…

Over 15 percent of children are overweightdouble the rate in 1980. Children's diets are high in fat but low in fruits, vegetables, and other nutritious foods. The National School Lunch Program has had a continuing role in providing students with nutritious meals; however students must choose to eat the nutritious food and limit less healthful…

Children are at greater risk than adults for lead poisoning because children absorb lead more readily than adults, and a small amount of lead in children's bodies can do a great deal of harm. This Spanish-language Digest summarizes some of the causes and effects of childhood lead poisoning and suggests some lead poisoning prevention strategies…

Educators must create learning environments that are responsive to the social, emotional, and intellectual needs of adolescents. Today's adolescents need emotional and social guidance to cope with social pressures and personal identity confusion that naturally accompany adolescence. This generation of adolescents brings a different set of needs…

This booklet provides information regarding the use of universal free breakfast programs and guidance to schools that wish to start such a program. Written for school officials and breakfast advocates, the guide discusses the benefits of a universal free school breakfast program, the options available, and basic operational issues, so that…

This study examined the extent to which food insecurity questions and the standard poverty measure were correlated with various dietary and physiologic outcomes. It used the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III, which between 1994-98 collected dietary recall information, surveyed respondents, and analyzed blood samples.…

Parents of children in the Saugus Union School District in California were concerned about the safety of classrooms, particularly portable classrooms. Their concerns were amplified by assertions of a local medical toxicologist following evaluations of some teachers and students, and by an Environmental Working Group report about alleged problems…

Noting that sending information about children's health insurance through the school system is a very effective way to generate applications and enrollment for state health insurance programs, this issue brief is the first in a series to examine some of the innovative methods used to offer more children affordable health care. The brief presents a…

Discusses how schools can improve student achievement through the adoption of comprehensive school health programs that include regular exercise and better nutrition. Describes successful student health program at McComb Separate School System in McComb, Mississippi. Provides examples of how districts have obtained state support in developing…

Training for nurses working with children predates training for care of adults. Key issues in children's nursing have not changed in the last century. They include its undervalued status within the profession and the place of specialized education. (Contains 28 references and commentary by Tony Long.) (SK)

Several events described include an international conference on survival and protection of the world's children; a rally in support of child care legislation; Bright Horizons Children's Centers Board of Directors; Clare Cherry Memorial Award; and an agreement between the Senate and the White House on a child care bill. (SH)

Reviews three areas of literature on home apnea monitoring for infants: (1) identification of infants at risk, (2)technical aspects of monitoring, and (3) families' responses to monitoring. Outlines areas of controversy, including effect of use of home monitors on parent anxiety. Calls for ongoing education for parents who undertake home…