Documented health hazards associated with Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS), especially for children, justify school smoking bans. Acknowledging that enforcement may be difficult, this article suggests several implementation strategies; stressing health benefits and positive steps to help smokers quit. (IAH)

Questionnaires and interviews were used to survey 517 Colorado educators about their perceptions of the unmet mental health needs of elementary students. Significant unmet needs were perceived regarding self-image, peer and adult relationships, school skills and competencies. Most problems were perceived as home or family based, but meriting…

Results of a study of 84 participants in a work site health promotion program support the hypothesis that one individual attempting to change health behavior may be positively influenced by significant others during the course of the change process. (JOW)

Minnesota's "Tobacco-Free Schools" project encourages school districts to adopt policies which prohibit tobacco use for students, staff, and visitors. In one year, the project has increased the percentage of smoke-free schools in Minnesota from 3 to 43 percent. (Author/CB)

Proposes an ecological model for health promotion that focuses on individual and societal environmental factors as targets for health promotion interventions. The model assumes that changes in the social environment will produce changes in individuals and that support of individuals is essential for implementing environmental changes. (JOW)

Reviews the rationale, conceptual models, program examples, and recent empirical evidence regarding the extent and effects of environmental interventions to promote healthy eating. (JOW)

Exercise can be as effective as psychotherapy and antidepressant therapy in treating mild-to-moderate depression, and even more effective when used in conjunction with them. Exercise can also be preventive therapy for those not clinically depressed. The paper explains how best to work exercise into a depressed patient's therapy. (Author/SM)

An evaluation of a health promotion program for employees at a New Jersey state college assessed the physical fitness and exercise program with educational components. Comparisons of experimental and control subjects indicated significant differences on high density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol/HDL ratio, triglycerides, and body weight in…

Descriptive data from 309 South Africans aged 60 and older showed that self-care skills and health practices are a mixture of Western and traditional thinking. A health education and screening project was designed to empower older adults in self-care. (SK)

Health and medical researchers have conclusively proven that smoking and secondhand smoke constitute a major health danger. Students get mixed messages when school staff smoke or use other tobacco products on campus. This article advocates a total ban on tobacco use in school settings, offers policymaking guidelines, summarizes state legislation,…

Telephone surveys queried frequency of fruit and vegetable intake as well as attitudes about and knowledge of fruits and vegetables among adults. Fruit and vegetable intake was lower than the recommended minimum of five daily servings. Intake was higher among women, nonsmokers, and those with higher education and income. (SM)

The Health Promotion and Education Council of Virginia became an effective advocate by incorporating elements of the theory of innovation diffusion, such as working through opinion leaders, creating information exchange relationships, tailoring attributes of the innovation to achieve objectives, and communicating the innovation to legislators. (SK)

At 16 senior centers, studied effectiveness of exercise and cognitive-behavioral programs, compared to discussion control program, in reducing falls and injuries among 230 older adults. After one year of programs, observed no significant difference in time to first fall among groups. Secondary outcome measures such as strength, balance, fear of…

Presents a series of exercises to help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome, a painful hand disorder caused by stressful and repetitive motions. (SM)

Describes Lyme disease, which is spread most commonly by the deer tick; indicates symptoms, preventive measures, diagnosis, and treatment. (SM)