Examined model of disease, disability, functional limitation, and perceived health for race and/or gender biases. Findings confirm earlier conclusions that differences in measurement of health exist between males and females, and between blacks and whites, but that differences in causes of perceived health exist only between sexes. (Author/NB)

Discusses the results and implications of a study designed to meet the following objectives: (1) to compare the health practices of college students with those of a leading medical faculty; and (2) to delineate for the biology teacher certain behaviors of the youth surveyed that might prove to be deleterious to their health. (ZWH)

Longitudinal 2-year study compared self and family members' reports of physical and functional health among 40 Alzheimer's disease patients and 53 age-matched nondemented healthy older persons. Functional health was consistently rated as more impaired by family caregivers of demented patients than by patients themselves, discrepancy not seen in…

In a British survey receiving 473 individual and 47 group responses, 87% reported physical health benefits from participation in learning; 89% cited emotional or mental health benefits. Most reported "disbenefits" at some time, but usually accompanied by significant benefits in other areas that provided motivation to continue learning.…

A study investigated whether the effects of anti-epileptic drugs were (carbamazepine, phenobarbitone, and phenytoin) related, to the incidence of fractures in 85 Irish patients. If patients were only on one antiepileptic drug, there appeared to be no correlation; however, if patients were taking a combination of three drugs, they were more likely…

Explores patterns of morbidity and comorbidity and their ability to predict functional disability among American Indian elders (N=409). Results show that age is a consistent predictor of functional disabilities. The Index of Comorbidity was more useful in predicting functional disability than was the simple summation of the number of chronic…

Investigates the extent to which marital partners are different or similar in their ways of enacting the therapeutic or supportive role. Results, based on interviews with 298 couples and on longitudinal data, indicate that, contrary to earlier studies, that while wives "overbenefit" in the exchange of conjugal supports, husbands more…

Examined blood lead levels in 1,190 children residing in Mississippi. Found that boys had a higher level than girls, and black children had a higher level than white children. The percentage of children with lead toxicity was 8.5 percent. The winter season had a significantly lower lead level than autumn. (Author/KB)

This 1949 paper discusses the future role of the school physician, suggesting that it will be important to focus on prevention, to emphasize children's mental as well as physical health, and to have a holistic approach that includes an examination of teachers' and nurses' opinions and of the child's home and school environment. (SM)

People are living longer, and in better physical health, than at any other time in history. But what of their mental health? Does it decline with age, offsetting the gains made in physical health and longevity? Can it be maintained? Can it improve? A review of the literature suggests that cognitive decline is not universal, pervasive, or…

The health status of people with intellectual disability (ID) is poor, yet very little research has been done on their health needs. There are several barriers to performing this research. The aim of our research was to examine the significant barriers encountered in recruiting adults with ID to participate in research. Our project was a…

This article presents a short case presentation and differential diagnosis of impetigo, a common, contagious, superficial skin infection that is produced by streptococci, staphylococci, or a combination of both bacteria. There are two different clinical presentations: (1) bullous impetigo; and (2) nonbullous impetigo. For years, it was thought…

Evolutionary behavioral biology suggests that certain characteristics of the human face and body are important for mate preferences and are therefore subject to sexual selection. J. Weeden and J. Sabini identify a number of weaknesses in the association between traits' attractiveness and health. In contrast, the authors argue that (a) studies on…

This review highlights consistent patterns in the literature associating positive affect (PA) and physical health. However, it also raises serious conceptual and methodological reservations. Evidence suggests an association of trait PA and lower morbidity and of state and trait PA and decreased symptoms and pain. Trait PA is also associated with…

Purpose: This study addresses the question of how the relation between self-rated health (SRH) and mortality differs between genders. In addition to the general question, four specific concepts of SRH are distinguished: SRH in comparison with age peers, SRH in comparison with one's own health 10 years ago, and current and future health…