Describes the pathophysiology of asthma and the types, risk factors, and current trends in management of the disease. The role of the school nurse in asthma management is outlined, including identifying children with asthma, evaluating the child's response to the asthma management plan, and controlling environmental factors that precipitate asthma…

Describes strategies used by five U.S. rural interdisciplinary training grant programs (mainly based in academic institutions) to respond to local needs and promote recruitment in rural communities. Programs provide training to 17 health care disciplines and serve diverse disadvantaged populations. Services are provided through individual clinical…

Offers ten suggestions for schools and universities to help maintain a healthy indoor environment: proper flooring, sanitary washrooms, consistent maintenance, indoor air quality, preventing mold, daylighting, good acoustics, avoiding volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ergonomic furniture, and well-maintained roofs. (EV)

A research review identified four factors other than knowledge that influence decisions regarding healthful behaviors: perceptions of risks, perceptions of self, physical and social environment, and perceptions of costs and benefits of recommended behavior. Findings were used to develop guidelines for messages and programs designed to encourage…

Ten nursing teachers in two Finnish polytechnics stated that their involvement in curriculum development was impeded by lack of time. They felt that health promotion was adequately addressed, although there was no evidence that new approaches recommended by the World Health Organization and other bodies were being used. (Contains 49 references.)…

Offers a feminist critique of sex education programs in Canada. An ideal curriculum would cover the full range of human preferences and practices. Discusses the benefits of such a policy for lesbian and gay youth, but taking into account the conservative point of view. (DM)

A weight management program utilized the participant's own data for the participant to (1) understand energy balance; (2) compare his/her diet with U.S. dietary codes; (3) know which food selections were high in calories, fat, and cholesterol, and low in complex carbohydrates and fiber; and (4) understand weight management. (JD)

A recent study suggests that high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level may be a better predictor of heart disease than total cholesterol level. Even moderate amounts of aerobic exercise can raise the level of HDL-C and lower the risk of coronary artery disease. (SM)

This article reviews literature related to the positive effects of outdoor education. The following dimensions of health, and the benefits associated with each, are discussed: emotional, social, physical, intellectual, and spiritual. A model of health benefits derived from outdoor recreation is presented, and implications for health education are…

Results from a survey of 83 U.S. institutions indicate that the internship is an important component in most undergraduate and graduate community health education/promotion professional preparation programs. Data are also presented on intern supervision and policies relating to salaries for interns. (IAH)

The health and fitness program for school staff at Deerfield High School (IL) is described. Program development, facilities, costs, activities, and staff are outlined. (IAH)

Needs assessment for a continuing medical education (CME) intervention directed at increasing breast cancer screening of women over 50 included a survey of target primary care physicians (n=323) to explore areas of interest for CME in breast care detection and to establish baseline screening practices. A survey of 1,440 women in the target age…

Appropriate physical conditioning can improve the physical and psychological health of pregnant students, ease delivery, aid recovery, and contribute to fetal health. This article discusses the importance of exercise during pregnancy, effects of exercise on maternal and fetal systems, and outlines precautions and guidelines for an exercise plan.…

Long-term outcomes of a school-based program (2,250 third-graders in 31 schools) were compared with an equivalent home-based program (1,000 families) involving parents. Students in the home-based program reported more behavior change in the reduction of fat and increase of carbohydrates in their diet. (SK)

By working with labor unions, health educators have the opportunity to reach worker groups that have been ignored by many worksite health promotion programs. A union-based smoking cessation program is described, and general guidelines for worksite health promotion are given. (IAH)