Study assessed factors associated with teachers' implementation of health curricula. School representatives implemented one of three smoking prevention curricula in sixth or seventh grades. Experimental teachers received extensive curriculum training. Training significantly related to whether teachers implemented curricula. Variables outside…

Educational reform offers the possibility of effecting change in both educational policy and practice that can result in increased personal empowerment for teachers. However, changes brought about by school reform will result in increased levels of perceived stress for practitioners. Consequently, planners need to consider the role and value of…

Despite abundant information on playground safety, National Recreation and Parks Association members still search for ways to handle playground problems. Since each playground is unique, there is no simple answer. The paper makes recommendations on how to begin and create a playground safety plan. (SM)

Defends the appropriateness of tobacco-free school policies as an effective tool toward ensuring that young people develop into healthy and intellectually strong adults, and demonstrates how such a project can be introduced into a school district. (SM)

Provides information on the nature and extent of injuries to children in day-care centers and contributing factors responsible for the injuries, highlighting a case study of injuries in day-care centers in Minneapolis (Minnesota). Recommends developing approaches to prevent childhood injuries, in and outside of day-care settings. (SM)

Because of the special roles schools play in rural communities, school-based programs can effectively reach rural populations. The article describes a state-funded, school-based cardiovascular health education program that successfully disseminated health messages to K-6 students in 2 rural upstate New York counties. (SM)

Reviewed worksite health-promotion program evaluations from 1968 to 1994 that addressed the health impact of worksite smoking-cessation programs and smoking policies. Results indicated that smoking-cessation group programs were more effective than minimal treatment programs. Tobacco policies reduced worksite cigarette consumption and environmental…

In 1998, the Making the Grade National Program Office and the National Assembly on School-Based Health Care sponsored a workshop on the relationship between the State Child Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and school-based health centers. This paper presents information from the workshop and uses experiences from Colorado and Connecticut as case…

Cooperative games program was conducted with second graders who had a previous problem with low cooperative skills and excluding children. These games are a viable intervention for counselors to promote cooperation, fun, good health, and positive social interaction. A shift in attitude was observed during the program, as well as an improvement in…

Investigated whether HIV-prevention program planners sought out science in designing interventions and, if not, where they gathered prevention information. Surveys of program mangers nationwide indicated that three important sources of information were peers and colleagues, departments of public health, and the Centers for Disease Control and…

Role play can teach college students responsible alcohol consumption behavior. The paper presents a technique to help students develop skills and attitudes that lead to responsible alcohol use behaviors. The technique models appropriate behaviors for party hosts, helps students put knowledge into action, and lets students explore the potential…

Testicular cancer (TC) education is not widespread, though TC is the most common cancer in men ages 15-34 years. Teachers can positively influence young men by providing TC and testicular self-examination (TSE) education in school. The paper describes TC and TSE, discussing strategies for and barriers to implementation of TC/TSE instruction in the…

Reviews a traditional model for school health teacher preparation, presenting an alternative model for enhancing health literacy in teacher education which offers an innovative instructional paradigm, the Child and Adolescent Health (CAH) Logic Framework. This model emphasizes links between child and adolescent health research and theory, CAH…

Reviews research on the special characteristics of homeless, unaccompanied youth and innovative recreation programs that currently, or in the future, can serve them. The paper explains who the street children are and examines what recreation opportunities are available to fill in the gaps in the continuum of care for them. (SM)

A survey of permanent residents of Canada over 50 years of age (n=5,102) regarding the effect of smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, and physical activity found the following: (1) smoking is associated with negative outcomes; (2) there is little evidence of adverse effects for alcohol consumption; (3) physical activity is positive; and (4) body…