Offers a social ecological analysis of health promotive environments, emphasizing the transactions between individual or collective behavior and the health resources and constraints that exist in specific environmental settings. Directions for future research on the creation and maintenance of health promotive environments also are examined. (JB)

Effectiveness of a program for junior high school students focusing on attitudes and knowledge about weight and dieting was evaluated in 2 studies with 80 females in experimental groups and 139 females in control groups. Subjects responded favorably whether the program was presented by videotape or the regular teacher. (SLD)

In an experimental project, additional school health instruction was offered to eighth and ninth graders by infusing health topics and activities into required English classes. Eight teachers were trained to participate. Interviews with the teachers indicated; they and their students enjoyed the project; students increased health knowledge; and…

The relationship between a 4-group (control and low- through high-intensity intervention) health promotion intervention program and subsequent medical costs was analyzed for 1,188 employees in a California utility company. Results suggest strong associations between health promotion interventions and subsequent reduction in medical care costs,…

Presents five principles to help communities establish school-based primary care centers linking community health and social services with educational systems. The principles encompass community participation; early assessment of community needs; integration of health and human services with educational services through an interdisciplinary,…

Reports findings from Canadian surveys on adolescent female health-risk behaviors such as smoking, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, and sexual activity. Discusses whether the school system has a responsibility to provide related prevention programs and whether the school actually contributes to the development of these problems. Supportive school…

Describes a peer-led sexually transmitted disease (STD)/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) intervention for students in a dropout prevention program. Trained peer counselors/educators led schoolwide activities and classroom sessions. Teachers and students rated peer counselors' effectiveness. Pre- and postintervention surveys indicated an increase…

Describes an AIDS prevention project of the Islamic Medical Association of Uganda, discussing how it was influenced by information from a baseline survey and how it was implemented. A followup evaluation study that assessed the community-level impact indicated that the intense community education effort, which used religious leaders and lay…

Reviews human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) behavioral epidemiology pertinent to planning risk reduction interventions and HIV prevention outcome projects that have resulted in objective evidence of risk behavior change. Key prevention issues of which we still have limited knowledge are considered, and potential ways to incorporate improved HIV…

Presents a relatively simple costs/benefits analysis problem perfectly suited for an introductory economics course. Reveals that neither the health insurer (which bears only the hospitalization costs of acute care) nor the patient (who incurs lost earnings and psychological costs) has an adequate incentive to pay for preventive care. (MJP)

A series of questions and answers helps teachers and leaders understand how much physical activity is enough for children and adolescents, discussing the guidelines used to make recommendations; childrens' and adolescents' unique physical activity needs; lifetime activity needs; and aerobic versus strength, endurance, and flexibility training. (SM)

Discusses eating disorders in college females, recommending use of the Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified framework to identify and target various eating concerns for intervention. The paper also suggests using a multiple-level, developmental-intervention model to conceptualize preventive, educational, and remedial responses to eating…

Tested the efficacy of a modified nutrition education program for elementary students. Sixteen nutrition lessons were taught alternately by special resource teachers (SRTs) and classroom teachers (as opposed to 24 lessons taught by SRTs). Surveys, observations, interviews, and plate waste data indicated that treatment students had greater…

Examines three disorders that can affect female athletes who focus on succeeding athletically and achieving a prescribed body weight: disordered eating, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis. The paper presents prevention and treatment suggestions for athletes with eating disorders, focusing on primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. Recommends that…

Introduces an issue that examines state-, district-, and school-level policies and practices for eight school health program components, summarizing findings from the School Health Policies and Programs Study 2000 by component (health education, physical education and activity, health services, mental health/social services, food service, school…