Virginia Commonwealth University confronted shrinking resources for its urban mission by creating a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree program. The program addressed a number of challenges and was built using existing resources in the university and professional communities. Despite early financial concerns, the program now combines needed…

Reviews the developmental and psychosocial characteristics of the increasing number of school-aged persons infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Educational ramifications of these characteristics and strategies for providing safe teaching and learning environments are presented. (DB)

Research shows that parks and recreation services provide people with opportunities that have substantial positive health effects, resulting in massive public-health cost savings. In a rapidly changing world, the ability to adapt and collaborate is critical for leisure services professionals. Recreation and parks must be reconceptualized to remain…

Discusses the ethical aspects of screening and testing for clinical detection of individuals infected with asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Careful consideration must be given to individuals' rights, respect for their privacy, and society's obligations to provide needed clinical and social services in translating cautious medical…

This article reviews recent large-scale epidemiological surveys of oral health in the United States, outlines risk factors for oral disease, and makes recommendations for future surveys. Discussion is limited to dental caries, periodontal diseases, tooth loss, edentulism, oral cancer, and orofacial clefts. (Author/MSE)

Answers nine commonly asked questions related to HIV/AIDS in child care settings. The goal is to provide accurate knowledge to providers and parents in an attempt to alleviate fears surrounding HIV/AIDS. (HTH)

This article discusses the role that university health centers and schools of public health can play in bolstering a community's capacity to solve its own health and human service problems, reviewing specific strategies and models that institutions can implement in partnership with local communities. (MDM)

A research review discusses individual versus societal responsibility as it relates to health promotion among African Americans. The paper suggests that blacks should hold themselves more personally responsible for solving their own problems while rejecting debilitating forms of extreme self-blame. Recommendations for improving the health of…

Discusses the development and initial implementation of the "Every Child by Two" project. The project is designed to immunize as many newborn through two-year-old children in the United States as possible against communicable childhood diseases, such as measles, and to create a program to systematically immunize this age group in the…

Inconsistent decision making of the United States government on environmental issues is described. Discussed are the health risks of alternatives, environmental group leadership, the role of the news media, and the role of the government. (KR)

PRECEDE evolved as a teaching tool and framework for planning and evaluating health education programs. PATCH (Planned Approach to Community Health) let researchers examine certain principles underlying PRECEDE, relating them to new community research. Understanding PRECEDE's limitations led to PROCEED (policy, regulatory, and organizational…

Reports findings from an assessment by the U.S. Congress' Office of Technology Assessment (OTA), which examined national adolescent health services. Results indicated changes in approaches to promoting and improving adolescent health are essential. Congressional actions taken since the release of OTA's report are summarized. (SM)

Summarizes research suggesting that refugees, being an at-risk population, are especially suited to primary mental health prevention. Describes research on stress and acculturation and its importance to prevention in refugee mental health. Examples of primary prevention programs at the local, national, and international levels are given. (CJS)

In the context of the increased incidence of diabetes among Native American populations, this article describes a federally funded rehabilitation project to teach American Indian health care workers about aging, vision loss, and independent living skills. The project's focus is on service provision through community health representatives. (DB)

Biomedical, logistic, economic, social, and psychosocial issues related to the successful distribution and use of a vaccine for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are reviewed. A mathematical model is introduced as an aid in conceptualizing these issues. The HIV vaccine should be seen as an adjunct to behavioral modification. (SLD)