The epidemic of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) confronts the rehabilitation professional with a number of concerns. This paper reviews literature on the diagnosis, epidemiological factors, psychosocial elements, medical intervention of AIDS, and rehabilitation issues involved in serving AIDS patients. (JDD)

Professional experience or educational background in public health provides a valuable perspective for designing, implementing, and evaluating early intervention services for children with developmental disabilities and chronic illnesses. Described are public health's historic role in early intervention and a graduate program exemplifying the…

Examines characteristics of the rural family relevant to professional AIDS-related human service activities. Considers the family as primary American socialization and support resource, the effects of the AIDS epidemic on family function, and the effects of the rural environment on family support for AIDS victims. Contains 21 references. (DHP)

Major community involvement can help promote physical activity and enhance supportive environments that encourage physical fitness. There must be teamwork by those in fitness, recreation, and health promotion to reduce duplication, broaden support, and combine the power of community leaders. The article examines successful partnerships and…

Compares the ways of knowing exhibited by community residents when documenting environmental hazards and diseases to the ways of knowing exhibited by professional scientists. Argues that popular epidemiology mirrors clinical medicine and should err on the safe side of false positives. (Contains 62 references.) (MDH)

Addresses the relationship between law and policy, examining significant gains in establishing legal precedents for protecting the educational rights of children with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection in confronting HIV-related discrimination. The article looks at legal principles of confidentiality, disclosure, negligence and potential…

The article introduces a special issue on health care for underserved populations, particularly racial and ethnic minorities, describing the emergence of the field of minority health, defining its parameters, and reviewing some of the strategies that will be important in improving the health status of underserved minority populations. (SM)

Explores the most effective strategy roles that coalitions can play in the prevention of complex, entrenched, social and health problems such as violence, alcoholism, and other substance abuse problems. The paper also outlines the key internal capacities a coalition will need in order to establish a support system for prevention initiatives. (GR)

Presents model for adolescent health behavior, Pre-Adult Health Decision-Making Model, which takes into account differential information processing from peers, parents, or through critical or reflexive self-analysis. Reviews psychological and sociological literature on adolescent development, adolescent health behaviors, and Acquired Immune…

Assumptions implicit in the current use of licensing and certification examinations are identified, relevant evidence for these assumptions are reviewed, and implications for current methods of measurement are discussed. To ensure the protection of public health, it is critical to determine whether training and credentialing programs serve their…

Two scales for measuring international health status are proposed as alternatives to the current measure--infant mortality rate. Health Status 1 is an interval scale combining infant mortality and literacy rate. Health Status 2 comprises these statistics, plus death rate for persons 65 years and older, and mental hospital admissions. (SLD)

Evaluates a point-of-purchase nutrition education program in Pawtucket (Rhode Island). Uses consumer interviews to evaluate the effect of awareness of shelf labels on purchase behavior. Reports increases in shoppers' ability to identify correct shelf labels and in the number of shoppers who were encouraged to buy the identified foods. (FMW)

Examines recent evidence on the relations between physical activity, physical fitness, and health, noting the possible causal nature of the associations. The article evaluates the public health burden of sedentary lifestyles in the United States and provides suggestions for increasing participation in physical activity. (SM)

Describes an Internet-based graduate training program at Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health. Discusses the steps involved in (1) training the faculty (to prepare faculty for the transition to electronic instruction the school implemented an asynchronous training programme delivered over the internet), and (2) applying…

Presents a historical overview of injury control and prevention in the United States and offers a summary of current knowledge about the importance of different causes of childhood injury, looking at risk and protective factors that have a bearing on preventive efforts. Injury remains the most important cause of death and disability for children…