Terrorist acts and the fear of terrorism have become a part of everyday life in the early 21st century. Among the threats most feared is bioterrorism, including the intentional release of smallpox. With the invasion of Iraq and toppling of the Saddam Hussein regime, acute bioterrorism fears have abated; however, an ongoing threat remains. This…

Difficulties faced by homeless children include depression, low self-esteem, lack of sleep and nutrition, and feelings of shame and embarrassment. Challenges faced by schools in providing education to homeless children include: (1) keeping children in one school despite frequent family moves; (2) ensuring that children's health records are…

Graduate community health students were educated about the dangers of rubella and then commissioned to teach other college students on the importance of immunizations. Results are discussed. (DF)

The University of Rochester (New York) has implemented a process to ensure that all students receive necessary immunizations. The immunization requirement is combined with a required health history form and has helped the college facilitate significant increases in immunity to rubella, measles, mumps, and tetanus. A description of the program is…

There has been little change in newborn mortality in the past 20 years, even through proven, cost-effective solutions exist to save many of these young lives. This report reviews the most recent data on the newborn, revealing the alarming poor health and quality of health care for mothers and newborns in virtually all impoverished countries. The…

Immunization data are collected annually from Illinois public and nonpublic schools. This report is a compilation of the data on the immunization status of school-age children in Illinois for the school year 1998-99. The compliance level for all Illinois students is 97.25 percent. The data by specific disease category, based on the percent of…

This article reports on the efforts at the University of Tennessee/Knoxville to screen college women for susceptibility to rubella and to educate them to the possibilities of birth defects associated with the disease during pregnancy. (JMF)

Covering the period from July 1, 1991, through June 30, 1992, this report describes the goals and activities of the Governor's Commission for Children and Families, a commission formed to improve children and family services in Pennsylvania. The report begins with a brief description of the demographics and conditions of children in Pennsylvania…

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is one of many federal agencies working to understand autism. The NICHD supports and conducts research on what causes autism, how many people have autism, how best to treat…

During the 1970's many children lacked immunization against one or more of the major childhood diseases. Recently the number of cases of childhood diseases has declined dramatically. The schools are the focal point for disease prevention. Outlined are 10 steps to continue to ensure childrens' health. (MD)

The administration of meningitis vaccinations to the college population has recently been the topic of much discussion. Much of the controversy has surrounded the promotion of widespread vaccinations or educational campaigns about the vaccine for incoming freshman students. Recommendations about the use of meningococcal vaccines for college…

"Lessons Learned" is a series of publications that are a brief recounting of actual school emergencies and crises. This "Lessons Learned" issue focuses on an infectious disease incident, which resulted in the death of a student, closure of area schools and the operation of an on-site school vaccine clinic. The report highlights the critical need…

This handbook is intended to provide school authorities with a guide to the development of an effective school immunization program. The handbook is divided into three sections and seven appendices. Section One explains the legal definitions of various terms related to mandatory immunization practices. Section Two outlines the elements necessary…

A new strategy to improve the delivery of vaccination services to adolescents and to integrate recommendations for vaccination with other adolescent preventive services promotes vaccination of young adolescents by establishing routine visits to their health care providers. Recommendations for vaccination are based on new or current information for…

Explains rules of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that require employers to protect employees whose jobs may result in worker contact with potentially infectious materials. Describes conditions that apply to violations of OSHA rules. Urges child care programs to formulate plans for compliance with OSHA requirements. (SM)