Asthma is at near-epidemic proportions among poor urban children, but in Baltimore, a school-based health program is providing relief. The six-week program teaches children how to manage their disease, which in turn reduces absenteeism and decreases emergency room visits. Informal assessment indicates the program is fairly effective. (SM)

Analysis of data for the NICHD Study of Early Child Care revealed different prediction models for children (n=5,416). Early home environment, later behavior problems, and children's health problems contributed to identification by medical professionals, while early home environment and socioeconomic status contributed to identification based on…

Explored family context for children's health-related learning through qualitative research. Gathered data from one dual-career, middle-class, two-parent family with school-age children. Identified core conceptual category, maintenance of structure and order in family life. Claims relationships are evident between and among this category,…

The Claxton Elementary School Health Program was developed to improve school/community health. Using the Community Oriented Primary Care process, a health advisory board was organized and a comprehensive needs assessment was implemented. Teachers, parents, students, and professionals agreed on perceived health problems. The board selected two…

A 1994 conference explored national issues and priorities related to school health nursing, identifying seven critical issues and related actions. Several papers discuss school nurse perspectives, federal agency efforts, issues, and priority actions. An annotated bibliography and information on National Nursing Coalition for School Health are…

Reviews "Investigating Mathematics with Young Children" (Althouse); "Homecoming for Babies after the Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery: A Guide for Parents," with companion guide for professionals (Hanson and VandenBerg); "HIV/AIDS: A Challenge to Us All," with companion video (Pediatric AIDS Foundation); and "Modeling Healthy Behavior: Actions and…

Discusses the School of the 21st Century model for school-based and school-linked service provision, which has been implemented in over 300 schools to provide high-quality services to children from birth through age 12. Includes preliminary results of a three-year outcome evaluation of one program. (MDM)

Investigated the sociofamilial environment of French children born to HIV-positive mothers and the psychological repercussions to the family of events following HIV infection. A quantitative approach and interviews with parents were analyzed to understand the nature of the relationship between parent and children, the process of relational…

Analysis of data on 3,277 children in the Children of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth dataset examined effects on children's mental health of family poverty and 3 residential characteristics (urbanicity, neighborhood poverty, and neighborhood racial homogeneity). Poverty negatively affected children's mental health overall, while…

Reviews literature on prenatal drug abuse to (1) estimate mothers' drug use and exposure of infants; (2) document the relationship between prenatal drug use and adverse birth outcomes; and (3) examine effects of maternal drug use on birth defects. Argues for more treatment facilities and greater prevention efforts. (SLD)

Examines the Swedish experience for lessons to help reduce infant mortality in the United States. Because of Sweden's efforts to eliminate poverty and provide comprehensive health care, there are only small social class differences in infant mortality. Class and race issues play much larger roles in the United States. (SLD)

Studies the association between the severity of early female antisocial behavior (drug-related and non-drug-related offenses) and the later behavioral and emotional health of the children of these women, using a secondary analysis of National Longitudinal Survey of Youth data for 688 whites, 481 Hispanic Americans, and 256 African Americans. (RLC)

Childrens' psychological well-being is threatened by many of today's social ills. It is important to protect childrens' minds and let them consider schools a safe haven where they are supported, nurtured, and welcomed. Because many parents cannot foster self-esteem, teachers and schools must help students feel important. (SM)

Studies characteristics of 29 pregnant homeless women (18 African Americans, 6 whites, and 5 others). In general, respondents are young, unmarried minority group members with no income other than entitlements, who have been without a home one year or less. These women have more health problems than the average population. (SLD)

Discusses who school health nurses are and what they can offer, noting that policymakers and administrators are looking to expand the roles of schools and the professionals within them to enhance child health. The article discusses new models for school health, examining inside nursing issues and policy and administrative contexts. (SM)