The Tufts University (Massachusetts) School of Medicine's four-year combined M.D./Master's in Public Health program produces professionals trained and credentialed in both public health and medicine. The program, which has graduated 75 students, addresses both the care of the individual and the care of populations, and did not require drastic…

Reports on sources of lead contamination in the environment of children. Proposes some solutions and presents statistics that relate poverty and lead contamination. (DDR)

Presents information and suggestions on ways to prevent the spread of infectious diseases among young children and caretakers in child care settings. (BB)

Describes some of the features of North Carolina's communicable-disease laws and regulations focusing on the problem of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that is the cause of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Addresses students and HIV, employees and HIV, and confidentiality. (MLF)

Important issues facing the 101st Congress are discussed including: reform of the way Medicare pays for physician services; efforts to review the appropriateness and quality of care furnished; volume of services being furnished; long-term care; AIDS epidemic; and the needs of those who lack basic health insurance. (MLW)

Violence in all settings has reached epidemic proportions. Most shootings are committed by friends or relatives following an argument or when playing with guns. The public needs education about nonviolent ways of coping with anger and about the high cost of gun violence. Suggestions for avoiding gun violence and the PTA position on firearms are…

A literature review on the health status of underserved Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders examined stereotypes of good health. Results indicated that the groups were heterogeneous with respect to demographic and health risk factors. Databases on their health status were incomplete. Morbidity and mortality from certain diseases were especially…

Synthesizes results from four evaluations of the PATCH (Planned Approach to Community Health) program. Two examined multiple state and community programs, one examined one state, and one reviewed methods and materials of state and local coordinators. The article discusses specific recommendations for conducting PATCH and Centers for Disease…

A survey of 436 community pharmacists completing a distance learning (DL) course of continuing education (CE) in health screening, and 117 nonparticipants, found participants more positively disposed toward DL. Most found DL enjoyable and more suitable than other CE methods. More females and fewer males than expected requested and completed the…

Examines proposed changes in school physical education. Although researchers recommend promoting lifetime health through school physical education, it is not known which features promote active lifestyles and which do not. Professionals must learn more about promoting positive attitudes toward healthful living and develop a continuous,…

A survey of 97 medical schools found 65 percent offer instruction in patient health education and 74 percent offer instruction in community health promotion. A number of departments participate, and diverse methods of instruction and evaluation are used. Respondents favored such instruction but identified time constraints as an obstacle.…

Explores hindrances to sustaining African-American mobilization against Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Major obstacles include the following: (1) objective conditions; (2) attitudes toward sexuality; (3) perceptions about substance abuse and AIDS; and (4) conflicting policy views. Public health education has not been sufficient in the…

A national survey of medical educators investigated the frequency of inclusion of international health topics in 25 medical schools' curricula and compared them with ratings of the topics' importance by 22 expert faculty. Results indicate general agreement and are recommended as guidelines for preparing medical students for international health…

Provides an overview of professions working in multidisciplinary health promotion and disease prevention efforts, focusing on medical specialties, public health, behavioral medicine, health psychology, health education, and health behavior. Major challenges general to all the fields include reimbursement, priorities, professional preparation,…

Highlights some ethical issues that have begun to receive attention in health education and argues for greater emphasis on ethical dimensions in public health policies. Using selected moral principles, the article examines issues of individual responsibility, biases in interventions, societal obsessions with health, and the role of the health…