Examined 295 African-American adolescents' degree of social support, attitudes regarding health beliefs and condoms, AIDS knowledge and risk, self-efficacy, and sexual behavior. Found that adolescents with less social support were less knowledgeable about AIDS, held more negative attitudes toward condoms, and were lower in self-efficacy than…

The report by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, "Starting Points: Meeting the Needs of Our Youngest Children," presents a comprehensive strategy for child well-being. Parent education and universal health coverage are but two aspects of an approach that considers the needs of all families. (SLD)

To aid at-risk children, summer intervention programs must emphasize links between physical well-being and drug awareness, nutrition, health, and safety. West Virginia's Project YES (Youth Enrichment Services) is a comprehensive, community-based program highlighting many aspects of child development. The article describes the program's history,…

Successful counseling is possible if health care providers learn to interpret behaviors within cultural context. The paper describes a culture-centered approach, using a grid that matches same/different behaviors and expectations. Culturally accurate knowledge and skills provide a developmental sequence for more appropriate health-care guidance in…

Formative evaluation of a community health project providing and promoting low-fat foods in five restaurants in Montreal (Canada) shows that restaurateurs are willing to collaborate in project implementation but not in training waiters and that the project did not cause an increase in market demand for low-fat menu offerings. (SLD)

Several recent national initiatives by both professional associations and public agencies provide measurable health objectives and suggestions for educational activities in geriatric oral health promotion. These can be used to evaluate current educational programs in geriatric dentistry and to plan programs and health promotion activities to meet…

Article reviews the major school-based approaches implemented during the last two decades to reduce sexual risk-taking behaviors, examining their evidence for success and providing recommendations for effective programs and program evaluations. The article focuses on programs that educators believed would reduce unprotected sex. (SM)

Describes a 15-year study of cardiovascular disease-related nutrients in a school lunch program. According to the findings, although school lunches contributed less than one-third of total daily nutrients, intakes of diet components related to cardiovascular disease risk were excessive. (SM)

An AIDS risk assessment and intervention targeted special needs adolescents. Students completed questionnaires, and health professionals provided risk reduction education and counseling. A classroom curriculum based on student knowledge was developed. Teachers considered the classroom curriculum effective in increasing knowledge levels and…

This article argues that employee health promotion programs shift emphasis to "managed health" and health care demand and that colleges and universities may find them both cost effective and consistent with the teaching, research, and community missions of their institutions. Programs at Harvard, Duke, and Stanford universities are…

The number of accidental deaths and injuries could be reduced if more children knew how to identify potentially dangerous situations, respond effectively to emergencies, and properly treat common injuries. Parents must teach their children self-care and safety skills, demonstrating, guiding, and praising the children as they practice the skills.…

Ideas from social cognitive psychology with potential for oral health promotion are presented, and a project to promote oral health at the individual level, offering a method adaptable to any behavior that should become habit, is described. Suggestions for placing this material in behavioral sciences and dentistry curricula are made. (MSE)

Examines poliomyelitis in the United States by reviewing clinical manifestations and outcomes, history, recent epidemiologic characteristics, characteristics of currently available vaccines, controversies surrounding vaccination policy, current poliovirus vaccination recommendations, and prospects for worldwide eradication. Poliomyelitis remains…

A Purdue University study looked for significant differences between adherers and nonadherers to exercise. A questionnaire explored self-motivation, attitude toward physical activity and exercise, and lifestyle habits in 293 people. Results showed no difference between the groups for lifestyle and self-motivation but a significant difference in…

The epidemiological method of case-control study is described, and its advantages and disadvantages are discussed for use in health program evaluation. Examples are reviewed, with a step-by-step description of the method. Potential applications are discussed, including worksite health promotions, screening programs, and large-scale public health…