Results from a study of 75 pregnant women suggest that previous pregnancy experience does not substantially alter women's knowledge of appropriate pregnancy-related health practices. Implications for the design of curricula and delivery of prenatal education services are briefly outlined. (IAH)

A survey of 135 university extension staff (79% response) and a focus group of 31 identified components they wanted in a wellness program; their health and lifestyle behaviors; and extent of coworker and organizational support. Ninety-three percent were interested in a program that included fitness activities and mental health and lifestyle…

Physical activity is useful for preventing and easing depression symptoms. When prescribing exercise as an adjunct to medication and psychotherapy, physicians must consider each patient's individual circumstances. Hopelessness and fatigue can make physical exercise difficult. A feasible, flexible, and pleasurable program has the best chance for…

Presents information to help parents understand asthma. A major misconception is the idea that asthma only occurs periodically. In reality, it is a chronic condition that needs ongoing treatment, rather than treatment only when there are symptoms. This misconception can lead to the asthma controlling the patient instead of vice versa. A sidebar…

The planning compass is a tool for analyzing priorities for health-promotion programs. It considers groups, settings, topics, and methodologies; it includes a planning checklist and operational plan. Nursing students were able to use the tool with minimal difficulty. (SK)

Describes the fundamental difference between complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and holistic medicine, highlighting holistic medicine's emphasis on the promotion of healthy lifestyles for practitioners and patients alike. Asserts that offering physicians-to-be more course work in holistic medicine could lay the groundwork for future…

Surveyed college health center directors about policies addressing smoking and availability of smoking cessation programs. Though 85 percent considered students' smoking a problem, only 81 percent of colleges prohibited smoking in all public areas, and only 27 percent banned smoking in all indoor areas. Though over half of the schools offered…

The University of New England (Australia) offers a health education and promotion unit to third-year nursing students, featuring a practicum that integrates theory and practice through work in community health centers. (SK)

Interviewers hired to recruit families of color from low income communities describe their recruitment techniques, the personal attributes that they felt made a difference, barriers to recruitment, and the experience of working for a white researcher. (Contains 36 references.) (JOW)

Introduces a special issue on youth, discussing current youth-focused therapeutic recreation research and practice, comparing this issue with another theme journal on youth (emphasizing the roles of professional preparation and professional organizations), examining the role of therapeutic recreation and adventure therapy, and noting theoretical…

Discusses positive and negative effects of five federal health promotion initiatives: Medicare Prevention Benefits, Surgeon General's Reports, Healthy People 2000 and 2001, Guide to Clinical Preventive Services, and Put Prevention into Practice Campaign. Recommends additional research and coordination with state and private sector agencies.…

Describes the forms of soy available as food ingredients and foods, the components in soy that may be important to women's health, the FDA health claim permitted for soy foods and ingredients, and research studies examining the role of soy in reducing cholesterol, cancer risk, osteoporosis, and symptoms of menopause. (Contains references.) (SM)

Article describes how organizations are beginning to develop and integrate health and disability management programs with an eye toward health promotion, disease prevention, and reducing disability-related lost time. (Author/JDM)

The rapid growth of the population of older adults and their concomitant physical status and health needs have captured the attention, collaboration, and funding support of an array of leaders in the fields of aging and health care. To help fill the void of literature available to social workers interested in health promotion and aging, the…

The purpose of this article is to analyze the policy decisions made by the World Health Organization (WHO) in working to fight the spread of the first truly global infectious disease, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), of the 21st century. In particular, the author pays attention to the WHO's Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network…