Reviews the popularity of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) approaches in health education, suggesting a proposed CAM course for health education professional preparation and offering a course outline which can be used as a self- standing course or integrated into existing courses. It includes a proposed course description and goals,…

Describes the association between stress and maladaptive coping and stress-related mental disorders; the severity of problems due to stress and stress-related mental disorders; and the need for primary prevention that teaches coping skills. Recommendations are given for providing cognitive-behavioral coping-skills training and educating consumers…

This study investigated national public opinion on school health education and the implications for health-care reform initiatives. Telephone surveys of 1,005 adults nationwide indicated that the public at large believes in the importance of health education to reduce health problems among children, considering it the responsibility of parents and…

Testicular cancer (TC) education is not widespread, though TC is the most common cancer in men ages 15-34 years. Teachers can positively influence young men by providing TC and testicular self-examination (TSE) education in school. The paper describes TC and TSE, discussing strategies for and barriers to implementation of TC/TSE instruction in the…

Examined the establishment and function of Texas school health advisory councils (HEACs) following 1995 legislation containing guidelines on school HEAC duties and membership representation. Survey data indicated that 67.3 percent of the 217 responding districts had formed school HEACs. Council size, membership, training, and number of meetings…

This study assessed knowledge of HIV/AIDS among high school dropouts enrolled in a military structured at-risk youth program that offered them a second chance. Surveys of demographics, risk behaviors and attitudes, perceptions, and knowledge indicated that participants had low knowledge levels, though knowledge scores were higher on certain…

This paper examines the history and future of health education. Data from an American Cancer Society study exemplify how well-designed, carefully conducted research can impact current understanding and future decisions in health education. Health educators' roles in making health education a national priority are discussed. (SM)

Surveys examining the long-term implementation of the "Understanding Sexuality" curriculum by trained teachers in 30 school corporations indicated that most school corporations with trained teachers still used the curriculum, though its use was limited by insufficient time and assignment of trained teachers to other areas. (SM)

In addition to addressing trends that are likely to have an impact on the health education profession, this article reviews recommendations that have existed largely in the literature and less in practice. Some topics discussed are: demographics and health education and care, program advocacy, community empowerment, and credentialing. (SM)

Evaluated the effectiveness of an upper elementary, abstinence-based, sexuality education curriculum on students' knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs related to sexuality. Pre- and postintervention surveys of students in intervention and control groups indicated that intervention students had higher scores on knowledge and life skills and reported…

Investigated whether incorporating youth cancer risk-assessment software with a cancer prevention curriculum would increase student knowledge and enhance behavior related to cancer prevention. Pre- and postintervention surveys of 10th graders indicated that adding the software did not increase program effectiveness. Knowledge and behavior scores…

This study evaluated the efficacy of a theory-based school HIV/STD curriculum on eighth graders' HIV/STD-related attitudes and knowledge. Pretesting and posttesting of students who did and did not participate in the intervention indicated that the curriculum effectively improved HIV/STD-related attitudes but barely impacted knowledge. (SM)

Effective AIDS education must be more clearly defined. The new definition must include moral reasoning, because skills and abilities to reason morally about behavior are lacking. The paper discusses the features of an AIDS education program that includes the development of moral reasoning. (SM)

Examines the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors among children and adolescents, the pros and cons of cholesterol screening among youth, cholesterol assessments of at-risk youth, and the role of schools in cholesterol education and screening (focusing on comprehensive school health education and services). (SM)

Proposes an approach to school health education that implements key features of the worksite health promotion model, summarizing the general program characteristics for school health education and worksite health promotion, explaining the school-based health promotion model, discussing social marketing, and examining program and educational…