Teaching GIS is relatively simple, a matter of helping students develop familiarity with the software. Mapping as an aid to thinking is harder to instruct. This article presents a laboratory and lecture package developed to teach the utility of mapping in a course on spatial data analysis. Following a historical review of the use of surface…

This needs assessment study of mental health needs of the elderly in Pennsylvania used a three-part approach. These parts were a review of existing data sources, an extensive key informant study, and a review of service delivery models. A recent study found a prevalence rate for mental illness in the elderly of 12.8%, more than 5% lower than the…

This study developed new national estimates of morbidity costs and examined trends in disability and labor-force participation for the noninstitutionalized population of males aged 17 to 64. Based on 1974-1978 data from the Health Interview Survey, the study found 2.7 million working-age males unable to work, 5.4 million working-age males with…

Presentations from speakers at a conference on Rett Syndrome are summarized. The presentations focused on Rett Syndrome's genetic basis and identification as a clinical syndrome, involving, among other things, mental subnormality, epilepsy, infantile spasms, hand stereotypes, and poor hand use. Also discussed were: Rett Syndrome's predictive…

Focuses on the interrelation between stressors and smoking, and on its potential impact on coronary heart disease risk beyond that due to stressors or to smoking alone. Reviews evidence supporting the stress-smoking interrelationship, its relevance to the risk of heart disease, and mechanisms explaining why smokers smoke more during stress and why…

Provides an overview of dietary risk factors for cardiovascular disease, including diet sodium intake for hypertension and dietary fat and cholesterol for hypercholesterolemia, exacerbation of these conditions by obesity, and intervention strategies for their modification. Describes clinical strategies for modifying diet: education, skills…

These hearings before the House of Representatives Committee on Government Reform address possible reasons for the apparently rapid increase in the incidence of autism. An introduction by the Committee Chairman, Dan Burton, provides background information and suggests a possible linkage between autism and the mumps-measles-rubella vaccine,…

This paper is designed to inform program managers and others who are interested in learning more about human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and infant feeding but who are not necessarily familiar with all of the technical issues in either of these fields. The paper reviews the major advances in the study of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and…

Describes a research project where students use a wide variety of resources including the Internet to find information for their presentations on epidemiology. Highlights a few web sites that students have found particularly useful and interesting. (JRH)

The value of examining a variety of behavioral, medical, and social phenomena as they relate to gradations in general intelligence is demonstrated. A method of uncovering group intelligence trends is presented that can enable policymakers and the public to apprehend the contribution of general intelligence to many socially important outcomes. (SLD)

Research prospects and priorities in autism are discussed with respect to: (1) diagnosis, classification, and epidemiology; (2) clinical research; (3) neuropsychological research; (4) genetics; (5) structural and functional brain imaging; (6) postmortem studies; (7) other biological research; and (8) treatment research. Application of research…

Reports presented at the Sixth International Conference on Aids are summarized including efforts to develop a vaccine, expansion of the epidemic into new areas, the high rate of infection among Romanian children, the crisis in Africa, and evidence of relapsing behaviors among homosexual men in the United States. (MLW)

A review of literature on exercise and arthritis considers relevant epidemiologic and experimental studies of animals and humans, focusing on the relationship between running and osteoarthritis. No conclusive evidence exists that running causes osteoarthritis; research trends suggest that running may slow the functional aspects of musculoskeletal…

This study examined temporal-geographic patterns among 830 confirmed incidents of child abuse in 31 rural Colorado counties during 1986-90. Findings suggest that a first incident of abuse or neglect serves as a sentinel event, predicting a period of more frequent receipt and substantiation of maltreatment cases by child protection professionals in…

Reviews the national and international epidemiological data on suicide mortality systematically by gender and culture and then discusses the implications these data hold for primary prevention. Suicide morality appears highest among individuals for whom such behavior is culturally sanctioned. Thus, an important target for primary prevention may be…