This report examines the extensive presence of pesticide contamination in the environment and its impact on children. Chapters 1 and 2 review evidence that when pesticides are used indoors or out in other comparable settings, unavoidable contamination occurs, even when products are used according to label directions. Chapter 3 explains that people…

As growing numbers of children use computers at home and at school, they are at increased risk of developing a repetitive strain injury (RSI). This booklet, designed for parents, explains the primary causes of RSI and gives suggestions for helping children avoid such injury. The booklet is divided into three parts. Part 1 describes various types…

Offers a primer on toxic mold and its removal, warning against ignorant or unethical mold remediation companies and offering five considerations (checking references, considering the big picture, sampling more than the air, considering release, and considering the source) when hiring such services. (EV)

Offers tips for fighting mold in schools, asserting that it can contribute significantly to poor indoor air quality and sick building syndrome. Offers an overview on mold and discusses the steps of: humidity control, building inspections, condensation control or removal, and floor and carpet cleaning. (EV)

A father describes the far-reaching effects of his donating his young son's organs after he was killed during a botched robbery while vacationing in Italy, discussing the need to promote the importance of organ donation, particularly among young people. A sidebar lists organizations that can provide information on organ and tissue donations. (SM)

Skin cancer in the United States is epidemic. About 90% of skin cancers are caused by sun exposure. The age of patients developing melanoma is dropping dramatically. Parents must protect their children from the sun during all outdoor activities year round. The article presents recommendations for preventing skin cancer. (SM)

Discusses major issues to be addressed during the debate on the proposed new international labor standards on child labor. The subject of the standards is extreme forms of child labor: work that is likely to jeopardize the health, safety, and morals of children; slavery; and child prostitution and pornography. (JOW)

Discusses tips for food-service staff for providing healthy, yet enticing camp menus. Provides a list of rules for preparing food that kids like, and suggests focusing on basic foods. Discusses cooking meats, preparing salad dressings, presenting food, providing vegetarian and meatless choices, and promoting healthy snack choices. (CDS)

Presents information to help parents understand asthma. A major misconception is the idea that asthma only occurs periodically. In reality, it is a chronic condition that needs ongoing treatment, rather than treatment only when there are symptoms. This misconception can lead to the asthma controlling the patient instead of vice versa. A sidebar…

Describes causes of overweight and obesity in children; cites research linking good nutrition and a child's capacity to learn; includes six Web-based links to resources to help principals and teachers reduce the serious problem of overweight and obese children. (PKP)

The McComb School District in Mississippi is supporting the fundamental needs of all students and has achieved outstanding results. The challenge of turning around the struggling school system into a successful school is discussed.

Older veterans often use both the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and Medicare to obtain health care services. The authors sought to compare outpatient medical service utilization of Medicare-enrolled rural veterans with their urban counterparts in New England. The authors combined VHA and Medicare databases and identified veterans who were…

How much "junk food" is too much? This question is difficult to answer, because it depends on the health and weight status of the child. If the child already has a weight problem, then this type of snack should be more restricted than for a child without weight issues. In this article, Dr. Ludwig states that, as a general rule, parents should not…

Sensitive and responsive caregiving is associated with better cognitive and language outcomes. Using the longitudinal data set from the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development, this study asks how changes in the sensitivity of both mothers and caregivers from 6 months to 6…

More than 53 million children and 6 million adults in the United States spend their days in elementary and secondary schools. Reducing environmental risks inside these buildings is critical to maintaining the public health. Almost all of New England's children will spend a large portion of their childhood in school. To help children stay healthy,…