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…

Examined incidence of parasitic infections in school children in four contrasting areas of Lagos, Nigeria. Found that almost 40% of the infections identified were of the low socioeconomic status children. The 20 children from the higher socioeconomic status area, with the highest environmental sanitation, were without parasites. Twelve percent of…

Notes that children with special needs often require specific considerations with regard to dental care. Discusses some of the physical disabilities and how they interfere with dental hygiene, and how child caregivers can modify daily routines and assist disabled children with areas of hygiene the children may find difficult. (HTH)

Evaluated 108 mothers and their newborn babies for bacterial colonization and neonatal septicemia (NNS) after membranes had ruptured for 24 hours or more. Nearly 40% of the babies were already colonized at birth. The three most common bacteria isolated from the babies were Escherichia coli, Group B Streptococcus, and Streptococcus faecalis. (MDM)

The national PTA president discusses the importance of keeping children healthy. She describes the school's role in children's well-being, noting that PTA has advocated legislative protection for children's health for years. (SM)

Presents information on Reye's syndrome, which affects all ages, both sexes, and every race, generally following viral illnesses (with or without a fever). Aspirin products increase the risk but are not a necessary element. Symptoms include persistent vomiting, listlessness, disorientation, personality changes, combativeness, and delirium. Early…

Radon is a natural, chemically inert, radioactive gas that can seep to the surface from underground rocks. As many as 20,000 lung cancer deaths in the U.S. each year may be radon-caused. Screening a school for radon is not difficult and may be done on weekends. It's safer for students and staff to test and be sure. (MLH)

Illustrates how evaluating the Oklahoma City Smoke Alarm Project increased its success in reducing residential fire-related injuries and deaths. The program distributed and tested smoke alarms in residential dwellings and offered educational materials on fire prevention and safety. Evaluation provided sound data on program processes and outcomes,…

This 1934 paper describes the main goal of the American Association of School Physicians (AASP) as the conservation and betterment of the mental and physical health of students in U.S. schools and colleges, noting various AASP objectives (e.g., better cooperation between school physicians and others working in schools) and explaining how…