A position statement is offered that clarifies the function, role, and emphasis of decision making within the field of health education, and a rationale that proposes that health decision-making efforts be limited to areas where evidence links a health behavior (i.e., smoking) to a health problem (i.e., lung cancer) is presented. (Author/CJ)

Cites statistics on such adolescent problems as pregnancy, drugs, and obesity as evidence of the serious neglect and alienation of this age group in an era of family instability and declining social roles for youth. Urges educators to give concerted attention to the physical, mental, and health needs of adolescents. (SJL)

Reviews etiology and prevention literatures, exploring relationships between problem and positive youth behaviors, commonalities among predictors, and implications for prevention. Risky/unhealthy/antisocial behaviors, poor mental health, and poor academic achievement are highly prevalent, posing critical dilemmas for adults. All behaviors are…

Makes a case for establishing clear common objectives for physical education (PE) that can provide the basis for future action, suggesting that PE has much to offer society and can be an effective change agent--especially in promoting public health. The paper outlines common objectives for PE and suggestions for change in the schools, colleges and…

Investigated whether high risk populations would be receptive to tailored, multimedia interventions to promote adoption of health-protective behaviors related to sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevention and control. Feedback from predominantly African American, urban participants aged 16-50 years, recruited from a STD clinic, indicated that…

The message-learning approach uses persuasive communication to encourage people to examine and change their beliefs and attitudes. It provides useful strategies for direct patient education and helps health educators promote change in the health behavior of their patients. (JOW)

Examined whether stages of change of exercise adoption appropriately addressed strenuous, moderate, and mild intensities of physical activity. Secondary analysis of four data sets (adolescents, college students, adults, and seniors) investigated transtheoretical model constructs for exercise adoption. Results supported the construct validity of…

Focuses on the importance of vocal health for students. Discusses learning about vocal health care and the techniques used to educate music students about it. Includes an annotated bibliography of resources on vocal health, a survey to administer to students, and "Jewels of Wisdom" useful to music teachers. (CMK)

The Minnesota Heart Health Program's Quit and Win smoking cessation contests occurred between 1982 and 1989. The contests used large prizes to encourage smokers to quit smoking. Evaluations indicated that the contests succeeded in recruiting relatively large proportions of smokers in entire communities, and abstinence outcomes were encouraging.…

Reviews the addictive nature of cigarette smoking and the pharmacologic, psychological, and sociocultural parameters of tobacco use. The dynamic combination of related factors makes cigarette smoking extremely resistant to long-term extinction. The article suggests the use of active support systems during nicotine addiction recovery. (SM)

There are strong theoretical and empirical rationales for believing that psychological processes are integral to the maintenance of smoking behavior. A comprehensive treatment program for chronic cigarette smokers must have, at its foundation, interventions addressing the psychological processes that maintain smoking. The article examines the…

Telephone surveys of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention employees investigated the impact of an agencywide smoking policy that initially restricted, then banned, smoking. Nearly all of the employees and 56 percent of the smokers supported the policy. One quarter of the smokers reported increased interest in quitting following policy…

Presents theoretical perspectives on children's health attitudes. Considers the influence of socialization agents, including families, schools, peers, and the media, on children's acquisition of health attitudes and behaviors. Examines implications of research for social policy, research, and modeling of child health attitudes and behavior. (BC)

Study examined the sexual risk profiles of delinquent and homeless youth. Medical histories and physical examinations indicated subjects in three youth serving agencies had many risk factors (sex for money, unprotected sex with multiple partners, and high levels of sexually transmitted diseases) that affected individual morbidity and public…

Researchers investigated which questionnaire items would differentiate high-risk adolescents from others, noting which items would differentiate high-risk youth at various tobacco use levels. Though several variables distinguished high-risk youths, only close friends' tobacco use and value placed on health significantly predicted regular smoking…