Discusses recent guidelines on hypertension from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and details the latest management protocols for patients with high blood pressure. The article helps physicians interpret the guidelines for treating active patients, highlighting diagnosis, step care revision, pharmacology, and sports participation…

This study examined parents' attitudes and beliefs following implementation of an HIV/AIDS education program that included condom availability in every public high school. Results indicated that parents supported the schools' role in reducing adolescent HIV/AIDS transmission and believed providing condoms was acceptable within an HIV/AIDS…

Explores how proposed wellness model has special significance for interventions within battered women's shelter settings. This paradigm shift to a wellness orientation emphasizes people's power to make choices toward enhanced growth. Conceptualizes wellness orientation by six dimensions: social, occupational, spiritual, physical, intellectual, and…

The American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement on participation of athletes with human immunodeficiency virus suggests they be allowed to participate in competitive sports until disease transmission is found to occur in sport settings. The article discusses physician and coach roles and recommends precautions regarding body fluids and…

The article explores motivation as it relates to worksite health promotion participation, addressing incentive use as a motivational means of getting and keeping employees involved in health promotion programs. It suggests various incentives to help program planners, categorizing them as social or material reinforcers. (SM)

Many academic fields claim jurisdiction over health research and practice. The paper examines dominant conceptions of health as a personal quality or state of being, noting the market-oriented, competitive relationship among fields. It presents a socioecological conception of health which emphasizes individuals but also includes societal and…

Essential hypertension is diagnosed with increasing frequency in children and adolescents. Studies indicate exercise can be a clinically useful treatment, though strenuous exercise may be contraindicated for some. The article discusses the physician's role in diagnosis, nonpharmacologic interventions, exercise safety and effectiveness, and…

With the 1990s witnessing a unique type of extended family that is always on the run, public park and recreation departments are providing recreational programs to meet the needs of individuals of all ages. The article examines changing demographics and how they affect physical fitness behavior in American families. (SM)

Although there have been no documented cases of HIV transmission during athletic competition, the possibility exists. The use of universal precaution procedures reduces risk of HIV transmission. Athletic coaches and physical educators need training about such universal precautions to ensure student and staff safety. The article describes the…

Describes the "Unpuffables Program" in which two states tested receptivity to and feasibility of a smoking prevention activity package for fourth through sixth graders and parents. High awareness and participation rates were seen, and "Unpuffables" provided an opportunity to discuss smoking at home, motivating smokers to…

The Texas Comprehensive School Health (CSH) Initiative assessed the status of CSH programs in seven public school districts using a case study approach. Results indicated considerable support for CSH programs but little coordination of programs. The districts were overwhelmed with other health responsibilities, so CSH programing was not a…

Three articles help practitioners better understand exercise behavior motivation, providing guidelines and techniques for motivating children, adults, and older adults to adopt physically active lifestyles. The articles offer pertinent exercise motivation concepts and show how the concepts can be used to help people of all ages exercise regularly.…

The article describes morale, welfare, and recreation programs and activities developed by professionally trained civilians for U.S. service personnel stationed in the Persian Gulf. Army, Navy, and Marine service personnel responded overwhelmingly to programs that allowed them to stay physically fit, participate in activities, write, draw, and…

Concepts of formative and process evaluation are discussed, and their applications in health promotion and disease prevention are reviewed. Process evaluation fulfills the need for information on program implementation, whereas formative evaluation aims to help develop and improve programs from an early stage. Both evaluations can increase program…

Describes a 1990 United Nations summit on children's rights. Examines problems facing children worldwide and the relationship of children's rights to environmental concerns and education. Discusses efforts of the World Organization for Early Childhood Education (OMEP) to implement summit resolutions, highlighting projects of four OMEP National…