For this 1966 thesis from Mankato State College, a study was made to determine understanding of, and attitudes toward, 4 controversial topics in the area of health education and the feasibility of including these topics in the local school's health education curriculum. Students, parents, and teachers (50 subjects in each group) in the North Central Community School District, a rural area of Iowa, comprised the sample. The purpose of the study was to distinguish what differences existed between subjects' understandings and attitudes relating to beverage alcohol, smoking of tobacco, sex education, and public health education. Some of the conclusions are that the student group had the least health knowledge; that the teacher group showed significant superiority of knowledge pertaining to sex education and alcohol; and that all 3 groups favored inclusion of the 4 areas in the health education curriculum. A bibliography and data tables conclude the document. (AN)