Describes a mobile needle-exchange program in New York's South Bronx that employs the latest in computer and telecommunications equipment in its mission of controlling the spread of HIV. A brief overview of New York City's drug and HIV problem is provided and of the "underground" effort it created to reverse the problem. (GR)

Federal researchers are investigating whether mandatory breakfast served at school will improve children's academic performance. In six districts, entire elementary schools are receiving school breakfasts. To remove stigma, all students receive the food. This paper describes the research, discusses the pros and cons of breakfast programs, and…

American cultural diversity makes it difficult to promote one single fitness and health program. Health disparities exist between racial and ethnic groups. Healthy People 2000 and 2010 are designed to encourage physical activity for all, regardless of race, ethnicity, or economic status. Physicians need to understand these inequities and consider…

Tested the efficacy of a computer-assisted counseling intervention to reduce diet-related cancer risk. Healthy female HMO members were randomly assigned to nutrition counseling or attention-control interventions. Women completed dietary recalls and eating behavior questionnaires. Four-month follow-up results indicated that this moderate-intensity…

Recounts the life of Leah Widtsoe, who lobbied for women's and family life programs in extension and for passage of the Smoot Bill, eventually folded into the Parnell Act, which supported home economics education. (SK)

Describes the 1995-1997 evaluation framework and activities of an evaluation of HIV-prevention efforts. This framework is offered as a platform for future efforts to determine the most effective ways to prevent HIV transmission, and it may be generalizable to other disease-prevention and health-promotion programs. (SLD)

Examined cultural beliefs regarding the use of influence strategies in heterosexual relationships of 40 Mexican immigrant couples in stable relationships. Cultural consensus analyses reveal a common cultural model. Discusses the implications for health promotion and health-education activities. (SLD)

This Surgeon General's Call to Action emphasizes the need to promote sexual health and responsible sexual behavior throughout the lifespan, discussing the public health approach to this issue, the current public health problem with sexually transmitted diseases, risk and protective factors for sexual health, evidence-based intervention models, the…

Surveyed Ohio safe and drug-free school coordinators regarding their perceptions of how to improve safe and drug-free school programs. Training topics considered most beneficial included effective techniques for enhancing youth success, building parent-school-community partnerships, and providing conflict resolution skills. Lack of time and school…

With government funding, Ontario occupational therapy students were placed in community agencies not typically using therapists, at no cost. Offsite occupational therapists provided supervision. Students learned to work independently and understand the therapist's role in health promotion and prevention. Ongoing funding was provided by 25% of…

Concerned about sudden death and injury, a small, underfunded Pennsylvania district integrated a wellness center into its middle-school physical-education program to address every student's needs and detect health problems early. Sixth-graders use heart monitors to test their endurance in varied sports activities. (MLH)

The biggest risk to children's health is one which happens incrementally as students move through the school grades and into adulthood. Obesity has reached such proportions that today's children could end up living two to five years less than they might otherwise, according to a 2005 study in the New England Journal of Medicine. According to the…

Faced with child obesity rates that have reached record highs, schools across America will soon go on a fitness plan prescribed by Congress. The wellness mandate requires districts that participate in the federal school lunch program to have a policy in place by the start of the 2006-2007 school year. The law is not nearly as far-reaching as the…

Improved focus and involvement in one's physical education class are just a few of the many benefits that yoga can provide to students. Yoga, the art of bringing together the body and mind for improved strength, flexibility, and self-esteem, can also help decrease stress levels, improve academic performance, and self-confidence in school children.…

Objectives: To investigate the effects of exercise advertising on self-efficacy and decisional balance for changing exercise behavior. Methods: One hundred seventy-four university students (females = 108; males = 66) watched a video that contained health, appearance, or control advertising and completed stage of change, exercise self-efficacy, and…