This report presents an overview of research on childhood lead exposure and poisoning, and the related social issues. The report first summarizes the history of lead poisoning and its prevalence in the United States, and discusses the basis for recent changes in guidelines for lead exposure by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The report then…

Despite the recent, unprecedented growth of school-based health centers and the related increased support from state government, the future of school-based health centers is uncertain. Since they can no longer rely on federal support, private insurance, or other commercial sources, each state must develop its own approach to supporting the…

Efforts to alleviate the emotional pain of terminally ill children and their parents have led many physicians to turn to child psychiatrists for psychological support and treatment services. This book, written by a child psychotherapist, offers an overview of children's attitudes to death and considers the moral and ethical issues raised by…

New research has found a clear connection between nutrition and learning. This document highlights the importance of good nutrition in preparing children to learn and identifies California schools' crucial role in building healthy eating habits. The role of nutrition services in a comprehensive school health system--including the development of a…

Contributions to this collection emphasize pragmatic approaches to community health problems and focus on the health needs of ethnic minority children. The following papers are included: (1) "Introduction" (Kedar Nath Dwivedi); (2) "Culture and Personality" (Kedar Nath Dwivedi); (3)"The Immigrant (West Indian) Child in School" (Waveney Bushell);…

A study analyzed 82 cases of playground injuries and litigation (including 7 fatalities) in 28 states. In order of frequency, injuries happened in public schools, public parks, child care centers, apartment complexes, fast food restaurants, backyards, recreation camps, state parks, and state schools. Sixty-five percent of all injuries resulted…

The present investigation extends the factor analytic approach pioneered by Fleishman (1964), incorporating subsequent developments in the application of confirmatory factor analysis and the physical fitness literature (e.g., an emphasis on maximum oxygen intake). More specifically, the ability of an a priori factor structure of physical fitness…

This paper addresses the issues surrounding the widely publicized problem of newborn infants who have been exposed to cocaine before their birth, and suggests ways to prevent the problems associated with fetal exposure to drugs during pregnancy. The paper presents information concerning the effects of prenatal cocaine exposure on infants,…

This book addresses the critical issues, as well as contemporary approaches, used to deal with the developmental, social, intellectual, and coping problems of low-birthweight infants and their families. Following an introduction by I. E. Sigel, the chapters are: (1) "Past, Present, and Future Directions in Research on the Development of…

The purpose of the Healthy Start Initiative, a national demonstration program, is to reduce infant mortality by 50 percent in 15 communities. At the heart of the initiative is the belief that the community, guided by a consortium of individuals and organizations from many sectors, can best design and implement the services needed by the women and…

During 1993-94, the Morrison Institute for Public Policy at Arizona State University conducted a study on behalf of the Arizona Department of Education. This document presents findings of that study, which examined linkages between health services and schools for a comprehensive service delivery to students. Following the introduction, chapter 1…

SHAPES--an acronym for the South Plains Child Care Management Services (SpCCMS) Helping, Assisting and Preparing Educators and Staff--is also the name of a preschool readiness curriculum that is being developed for use by administrators and teachers. The first phase of the curriculum development consists of the publication of five books to be used…

This document is a summary of a report that argues that despite all the problems of the post cold war world, the means are now at hand to end mass malnutrition, preventable disease, and widespread illiteracy among the world's children at an estimated cost of $25 billion per year in additional aid to developing nations. To give this cause priority,…

Grassroots Educare Trust is a training and service organization for community-controlled educare centers. Sharon Hostetler, a volunteer community health worker/trainer, helped launch a 6-day health program for educare workers in South Africa. In post-aparthied South Africa, the preschool field has been identified as an important target group for…

This guide is organized around a suggested list of health skills that all students should know and be able to do at each grade level from kindergarten through grade 6. The guide will help provide parents, teachers, and students with knowledge of what is being taught in a logical scope and sequence by grade level. It is designed to help build a…