Presents two viewpoints on the economics of the tobacco industry and cigarette smoking. The industry has been rated as outstanding in economic performance by the U.S. Department of Commerce. However, the debilitating effects of smoking have imposed costs on society in terms of lives and money. Questions whether decisions about smoking should be…

Surveys of State Directors of Public Health Education and Directors of AIDS regarding the status and etiology of AIDS indicated most subjects considered the AIDS epidemic more prevalent than it could have been. Of the 28 etiological factors, 32% of respondents believed that continued risky behavior because of perceived invulnerability had the…

An overview of the current oral health status of Americans looks at the epidemiology of oral/dental diseases, rates of use of dental services, and expenditures for dental health care. Substantial progress in improving oral health is seen as are particular challenges resulting from the aging and ethnic diversification of the population. (MSE)

In recent years, child prostitution has dramatically increased. Associations for the protection of children in many European and Asian countries are calling for an international campaign against child sexual exploitation. The program targets the practice of sexual tourism, and it has been successful so far. (SM)

Describes the geology of the radon problem in the United States and suggests how homeowners can cope with the radio active gas. Vignettes illustrate how and where radon is produced beneath the earth's surface, testing sites and procedures for radon in houses, and locations for potential radon problems across the United States. (MCO)

Although medical education changes in response to advances in biological sciences and technology, changes in public health and attitudes outside medicine may have even more impact on medical education. Medical students need a foundation in both natural and social sciences to deal with the complex interrelationships between social and physical…

The article makes health educators aware of issues raised by a move from anonymous to confidential HIV testing. It examines implications of contact tracing and notification and of reporting requirements that identify HIV-positive persons to public health departments. Implications for health education professionals responsible for HIV test…

This study investigated the feasibility of broadening the traditional infant health focus of the Australian Maternal and Child Health Nurse or Public Health Nurse to encompass maternal emotional and social well-being to identify maternal depression and prevent child abuse. Conditions under which mothers would find this role expansion acceptable…

Recommendations are made for improving pharmacy education and practice concerning sterile products. Suggestions address curriculum and program design needs for each of these groups: pharmacy faculty; undergraduate and graduate students; pharmacy practitioners; pharmacy technicians; and production technicians. (MSE)

The success of appeals for increased measures of traffic safety, and how much a community is ready to pay for safety, depend in part on conventional ceilings on risks to life and limb the community is ready to bear. Safety campaigns must appeal both to self-interest and self-esteem. (AF)

For the purposes of identifying contaminants, of assessing risks, and of determining critical food processing control points, hazard analyses were conducted at two "bento" (oriental boxed meals) catering operations. Time and temperature abuses during the holding period, after cooking and prior to consumption, were found to be the primary…

Samples from five water sources (spring, borehole, pond, stream, and well) in rural Nigerian communities were tested. Results include source reliabilities in terms of water quality and quantity, pollution effects upon water quality, epidemiological effects related to water quantity and waste disposal, and impact of water quality improvement upon…

Describes Healthy People 2000, national health objectives designed to guide health promotion and disease prevention policy and programs throughout the 1990s. The article provides the context for compilation of Healthy People 2000 objectives relating to school health detailed in subsequent articles in this issue. (SM)

Provides health-related information in response to questions about whether children should go barefoot in child care settings and what precautions caregivers should follow when pets or other animals are present in child care facilities. (BB)

Tests social cognitive hypotheses that self-efficacy can be enhanced more effectively by symbolically modeling risk reduction information and by encouraging its cognitive rehearsal than by the presentation of risk reduction alone. Confirms hypotheses at both posttest and follow-up. (PA)