In addition to addressing trends that are likely to have an impact on the health education profession, this article reviews recommendations that have existed largely in the literature and less in practice. Some topics discussed are: demographics and health education and care, program advocacy, community empowerment, and credentialing. (SM)

Among 41 Mexican immigrant women interviewed soon after giving birth, everyday pregnancy care (often family-influenced) guided maternal behaviors in pregnancy and positively affected birth weight. Interviewees had positive birth outcomes despite low incomes, low education levels, and lack of access to medical care. Discusses implications for…

Presents findings from nationwide surveys of early elementary educators (N=505) that examined training status on tobacco prevention, level of teaching about tobacco prevention, and perceived self-efficacy for teaching tobacco prevention. Most respondents had no formal tobacco prevention training but had high efficacy and outcome expectation…

This paper examines nine school-based peer mediation and conflict resolution projects supported by four state health departments, describing differences in targeted students, project consultants, teacher and student training, teaching methods, curriculum content, mediation format, complementary strategies, project cost, and project evaluation. (SM)

Summarizes the findings of the Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development's concluding report, including its recommendations for a generic approach to preventive interventions for adolescents. Proposes research opportunities suggested by the report, including biological aspects of adolescence, economic factors in adolescent development, time use…

Summarizes proceedings from a 1995 conference in Georgia on the Health Education Profession in the 21st century. The 24 participants developed goals intended to provide direction for the profession, identify actions needed to move the profession into a significant role, and create an action plan to identify who will do what. (SM)

This article addresses the health and safety risks associated with child care facilities, including injuries and infectious diseases. Related health education needs for child care providers, parents, and children are examined, and recommendations for health educators are provided. (SM)

Teachers in a large, urban school district created Wellness Wednesday, a program in which students invite family members and school staff members to join them every other Wednesday for an aerobic workout. The article describes how the program works and notes successful program ideas. (SM)

Argues that community college student health services are pertinent to student success, and that a college committed to student success is one that is also committed to student health. Discusses policy agenda for community college health programs in the context of leadership policy issues and individual college and consortia issues. (Contains 13…

Reviews research relevant to family-based adolescent health promotion, focusing on efforts to prevent problems and encourage healthy development. Discusses family processes that appear central to healthy adolescent functioning, including attachment, reducing disharmony, and encouraging responsibility. Describes selected family interventions,…

Discusses prevalence of visual impairments and ear infections in young children and how early childhood professionals may identify vision problems and prevent ear infections. Presents findings of a study of child care programs which provide services for mildly ill children. Identifies print, video, and organizational resources on children's…

Reports findings from the final year of a tobacco use prevention project for junior and senior high school students. After three years of intervention with junior high students, researchers assessed the relative effectiveness of continued, lapsed, and delayed interventions in high school. In grade 11, continued intervention students had the lowest…

Relations of contraceptive behavior, problem behaviors, and health-protective behaviors were examined in an ethnically and socioeconomically diverse sample of sexually active adolescents. Findings demonstrate substantial organization among adolescent health and problem behaviors and suggest that contraceptive behavior should be conceptualized…

Research indicates that leisure participation enhances health at various levels, reducing stress and promoting better physical and mental health. Participation in personally meaningful leisure activities serves as a buffer to life's stressful events. Leisure professionals must work to promote leisure as a priority in people's lives. (SM)

Research shows that parks and recreation services provide people with opportunities that have substantial positive health effects, resulting in massive public-health cost savings. In a rapidly changing world, the ability to adapt and collaborate is critical for leisure services professionals. Recreation and parks must be reconceptualized to remain…