Contends that the disproportionately high rate of human immunodeficiency virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) infections among African Americans should be approached from a social and political perspective and should not be viewed as merely a result of individual behavior. Considers HIV/AIDS risk factors and health and social…

Discusses the following barriers to reducing the infant mortality rate: (1) fragmented and bureaucratic federal prenatal care programs; (2) insufficient number of rural public health clinics and private practitioners willing to serve low-income expectant mothers; (3) lack of health insurance; and (4) the high-risk behavior and motivation of…

A 56-hour interdisciplinary, train-the-trainer model was developed for lay health ministers in African American churches in Tennessee. Workshops examined aging, health promotion, and prevention. The program increased networking and community resources but encountered problems in religion's effect on health beliefs and in the need for cultural…

The Take Heart Project in 36 worksites sought changes in tobacco use, cholesterol, and fat intake. Employee steering committees selected brief, low-intensity health education and environmental change activities. The project is an effective way to tailor interventions to worksites, taking into account site and employee characteristics and previous…

The fundamental purpose of wellness is to maximize human potential. Describes the dimensions of wellness and identifies some habits that can foster growth within each dimension. Gives examples of societal norms that detract from wellness and those that enhance wellness. Urges schools to integrate the wellness lifestyle throughout all curriculum…

Wellness programs are most effective when they combine the protocols of emotional health, education, and exercise. Offers guidelines on self-responsibility, stress, nutrition, and exercise. Includes a self-test for measuring your wellness. (MLF)

Presents a descriptive analysis of 13 nationally available smoking cessation programs. To gather data, researchers used a review form that measured program setup, duration, cost, techniques, success rate, availability, and discussion of issues involved with smoking cessation. Researchers also examined program manuals and interviewed program…

Introduces a series of articles on peer health education, noting why this journal issue is devoted to peer education. Discusses the definition and structure of peer education, structure of the issue, overview of peer education, existing programs, customized interventions, and a training design for peer education programs. (SM)

College peer education is growing, often representing the best use of campus resources for specific needs. Model peer education requires carefully trained and supervised programs that ensure continuous quality improvement. Health educators are exploring more comprehensive training and delivery models, as peer education works to change health…

Managed care organizations (MCOs) and school health programs share some common goals and some competing, conflicting priorities. Partnerships between the two are important for the effective coordination and delivery of comprehensive adolescent health services. This paper discusses adolescent clinical preventive services, school health services,…

Effects of the "Choices" program for reduction of unhealthy behaviors among student athletes (N=190) were evaluated. Program components are described. Pretest and posttest assessment was conducted. Results are compared to national norms and discussed. Unexpected results may be due to the program or response rate on posttest. (EMK)

Analysis of documents from 19 college home economics/family and consumer sciences programs demonstrated the evolution of health core curriculum from emphasis on sanitation, nutrition, and food preparation to hospital-related health care. Today's emphasis on health care costs and wellness has shifted emphasis to home health care and prevention. (SK)

President Kennedy helped fulfill his vision of research on and attention to mental retardation by creating the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the President's Panel on Mental Retardation. The President's Panel helped create Mental Retardation Research Centers (MRRCs). Peabody College of Vanderbilt University's Kennedy…

Susan Gray and Nicholas Hobbs were influential in the development of the Kennedy Center at Peabody College of Vanderbilt University, which was designed to include an emphasis on research and training in education and human development. This paper describes Gray's and Hobbs' work and explains how their vision extended to the creation of the Kennedy…

Discusses the evolution of research on mental retardation, which was enhanced by support from the Kennedy family, President Kennedy's determination to place a high priority on the issue, development of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and creation of 12 national Mental Retardation Research Centers, including the unique…