Indigenous healing practices among Native Americans have been documented in the United States since colonisation. Cultural encapsulation has deterred the acknowledgement of Native American medicinal practices as a precursor to folk medicine and many herbal remedies, which have greatly influenced modern medicine. Understanding Native American…

This publication reports the findings of an expert panel convened by the National Center for Nursing Research to address health promotion for older children and adolescents (ages 8 through 18), the role of nurses, and the contributions of nursing science. Three chapters focus on basic science, intervention, and application. Each chapter includes…

Numerous theories have attempted to explain possible factors relating to an individual's propensity for engaging or failing to engage in preventative health behaviors. The Health Locus of Control (HLOC) is now considered to be an important variable for understanding an individual's likelihood for following health promoting behaviors. This paper…

Health behaviors of all students, including adolescents, have direct impact upon both personal well being and actualization of potential for maximum learning. This paper reviews examples of concrete health behaviors that both positively and negatively influence the two factors, and summarizes present objectives for the nation in the health…

The Michigan Department of Education's vision for health education is a continuum of learning experiences which enables people to make informed decisions, modify behaviors, and change social conditions in ways that are health enhancing, with students learning to obtain, interpret, and apply health information and services in ways that protect and…

This report presents data on U.S. births using information from the birth certificates of the 3.96 million births in 1999. Data are presented for maternal demographics (age, live-birth order, race, Hispanic origin, marital status, and educational attainment); maternal characteristics (medical risk factors, weight gain, tobacco use, and alcohol…

This educational program, which includes a moderator's guide and a videotape, is designed to help educators teach media literacy skills regarding smoking to students in middle and early high school. The moderator's guide helps teachers conduct an engaging discussion and provide followup educational activities around the Smoke Screeners program…

This resource document provides information about technical assistance and educational materials that can guide the development, implementation, and evaluation of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) education. The resources also offer information about programs whose goals are to prevent the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and…

Children of active parents tend to be more active. This Digest describes the various socialization factors that influence a child's interest and involvement in physical activity. While role modeling exerts some effect, recent research suggests that the nature of parental influence may be much more complex. A useful theoretical model to explain…

Investigated whether incorporating youth cancer risk-assessment software with a cancer prevention curriculum would increase student knowledge and enhance behavior related to cancer prevention. Pre- and postintervention surveys of 10th graders indicated that adding the software did not increase program effectiveness. Knowledge and behavior scores…

Points out that every four months the number of reported AIDS cases among adolescents doubles. Describes and evaluates a comprehensive AIDS prevention education program for preteens. Identifies adolescent attitudes as barriers to effective AIDS education. Presents strategies to break down barriers and promote acceptance of AIDS education,…

Examined the relationship of race and rural/urban setting to physical, behavioral, psychosocial, and environmental factors associated with physical activity among eighth grade girls. More differences related to race than setting. Black girls were less active and more heavy than white girls. Enjoyment of physical education and family involvement in…

Reports the impact of a school-based Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) risk-reduction program on participation and intention to participate in sexual intercourse and on protective behaviors by newly sexually active seventh- and eighth-grade students. Surveys indicated the programs affected certain protective behaviors, frequency of recent…

Effective AIDS education must be more clearly defined. The new definition must include moral reasoning, because skills and abilities to reason morally about behavior are lacking. The paper discusses the features of an AIDS education program that includes the development of moral reasoning. (SM)

Presents an ethnographic analysis of the Puyallup Indian urban tribal health care system with emphasis on mental health issues. Merges anthropological theories and perspectives with the practical experience of providing culturally sensitive care within a multifaceted bureaucratic environment. Contains 146 references. (SV)