Although an extensive body of literature exists on the impact of Head Start, very few studies have used an experimental design with random assignment, a key methodological component needed to increase the weight of evaluation findings. This study used a randomized design with a wide range of outcomes related to school readiness to assess the…

This manual is a ready reference guide to audio-visual resources of the "Keep Yourself Alive" program. It provides information for use with patients and clients as well as for personal professional development. Issues covered can be upsetting, and this material is not intended for direct use by children and young people. The "Keep…

"Tackling Drugs in Scotland: Action in Partnership" (1999) set out a national strategy for all government agencies in response to public concern at the increasing incidence and negative consequences of drug misuse. Targets and monitoring arrangements were publicised to encourage co-ordinated action against drug misuse. By the end of…

A 24-month study of 96 patients in a community-based oral health promotion project found the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI), a self-report measure of oral health, to be sensitive to provision of dental care. Some further development of measures is needed. Potential applications of this and similar self-report measures in dental…

Reviews the objectives from Healthy People 2000 that target children and youth in order to prevent cardiovascular disease in adults, identifying the status of those health objectives midway through the time frame allotted for their attainment and making recommendations for programming in light of whether the objectives will be attained. (SM)

Presents 11 recommendations related to improving child health that are based on a synthesis of 58 research reports published 1988-92. Suggests that the development of policies that reduce inadequate health care for women and children, unintended pregnancy, deficient education, and poor nutrition will ultimately improve the life circumstances, and…

Reports a study that compared the effects of a university health promotion course, before and after major revisions, on students' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Student questionnaires indicated that both versions were effective in improving lifestyle-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. The revised course was superior in modifying…

This article describes the methodological challenges and processes involved in designing and conducting the School Health Policies and Programs Study. Information is provided on questionnaire development, sampling, data collection, and weighting and variance estimation. (SM)

The paper advances a number of suggestions for an enhanced research agenda in school health education, examining approaches to health education that work, noting new or enhanced directions that are suggested by current successes, and discussing directions for which there are few available data. (SM)

Describes how schools can use the eight components of a comprehensive school health program to initiate a 5-a-Day program (initiative launched by the National Cancer Institute and Produce for Better Health Foundation to increase Americans' fruit and vegetable consumption). Specific strategies to implement each component of the comprehensive school…

Allied health education's mission is to prepare graduates to care for community's health; provide contemporary clinical care; participate in the emerging system and accommodate expanded accountability; ensure cost-effective care and appropriate technology use; practice prevention/promote healthy lifestyles; involve patients/family in decision…

Factors contributing to the gap between white health status and black health status include the following: (1) a lack of culturally sensitive health information; (2) denial by blacks of early warning signs of disease; (3) delays by blacks in seeking care; and (4) decreased access of blacks to high quality health care. (SLD)

Biological questions about Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are minor compared with political and ethical problems related to the AIDS epidemic in the United States. Lack of public confidence in the work of public health officials and the controversy surrounding New York City's syringe exchange program are two examples. (SLD)

It is apparent that some children in the United States have not benefited from the improved oral health care available. These children tend to be poor and members of racial and ethnic minority groups. Policy recommendations are made to increase both self-care and access to dental care. (SLD)

Social ecological theory, social-work community organization models, and health-promotion models are brought together to address ways to generate change at the individual and policy levels, and to provide guidance for community health-promotion programs. An eight-year cancer-prevention project is presented as a case study. (EMK)