Discusses the National Institute of Mental Health's (NIMH) epidemiological studies of childhood and adolescent psychiatric disorders. Notes the significant number of students with diagnosable psychiatric disorders uncovered by the NIMH. Concludes with an agenda for action at the school, district, and governmental levels to include school…

Gender differences in referral for child mental health services were explored through a survey of attitudes among 135 elementary teachers. Teachers were less likely to refer students with good academic performance, and tended to expect girls to transcend internalizing problems through maturation. Externalizing problems were thought to merit…

Describes technical-assistance program offered by University of Kansas School of Social Welfare to community social-service and mental-health agencies. Describes roles of style and communication strategies in technical assistance. Discusses assistance methods, planning, and change. Indicates preliminary success of Kansas effort. (TES)

As part of a family cardiovascular health promotion project, 111 Mexican-American and 95 Anglo-American families with fifth or sixth grade children were assigned to either a primary prevention program involving 18 sessions or to a control condition. Correlates of attendance were low baseline scores on physical activity and cardiovascular fitness…

An evaluation of free health care for the homeless in Britain showed that it lacks government directive, has biases and overlaps, is disproportionately delivered in emergency rooms, and relies on advocacy from the nonprofit sector. Systems of care in the U. S. must better address the needs of disenfranchised groups. (Author/VM)

Describes a multiservice intervention program, Teaching Interpersonal Expertise to Strengthen Systems (TIES), that is designed to support efforts of Head Start children, families, and staff, and improve the access of these individuals to mental health services. (BB)

Presents a content analysis of prevention definitions in prevention literature. Examines the pros and cons of the traditional trilogy (primary, secondary, and tertiary) of prevention definitions, along with a description of key concepts, such as end-states, timing, targets, and eligibility criteria. Proposes a conceptual alternative to the…

Investigates factors in the complex process of successfully establishing school-based clinics (primary medical care delivered at schools). Identifies 10 common strategies critical to successful establishment of such clinics. (SR)

The Special Education and Treatment Program in Frederick County, Maryland, uses storytelling as a connection between reading and healing for elementary-age children with serious emotional disturbances. Increased academic and emotional development is achieved through interagency cooperation, curriculum compacting, academic follow-up, therapeutic…

Reports a retrospective cohort study among students living in campus dormitories to examine potential risk factors for measles vaccine failure. As in secondary schools, measles outbreaks can occur among highly vaccinated college populations. Requiring two doses of measles vaccine for college entrants should help reduce measles outbreaks in college…

Several problems of the U.S. health care system are reviewed, including rising costs, increasing numbers of people who are uninsured, and the financial failure of public hospitals that treat uninsured patients. A plan called "Health America," which will guarantee health care for every U.S. family and control soaring health care costs, is…

Examines elements of programs that have been successful at changing long-term outcomes among disadvantaged children and their families: delivering a wide array of services, building relationship of trust and respect, dealing with children as part of a family, and responding to those most at risk. Suggests ways to overcome barriers to multiplying…

Describes pilot test of survey of grocery store product displays to measure the amount of health education information provided and the proportion of the display devoted to "healthier" products. Finds that inter-rate reliability ranged between 0.73 and 0.78 for the healthiness indices and between 0.30 and 0.67 for the health education measures.…

Describes the essential features of a health care system that can meet the special needs of children in out-of-home care. Discusses some of the major recent changes brought about by welfare and health care reform. Notes that it remains to be seen whether the quality of services will improve as a result of these reforms. (Author)

Identifies leading causes of mortality and morbidity in the United States, describes youth behavior that contributes to these causes, and outlines ways in which a school program might address these health and social problems among students. Also describes research and development strategies to help schools implement health programs and suggests…