Background: Fear appeals are commonly used in health communication to reduce risk. It is not clear, however, whether familiarity with a health topic can lessen the threat intended. The use of unregulated dietary supplements among young adults is one such area that needs study. Purpose: The study examined the effect of fear appeals on…

Although advances in prevention science over the past two decades have produced a growing list of tested and effective programs and policies for preventing adolescent delinquency and drug use, widespread dissemination and high-quality implementation of effective programs and policies in communities has not been achieved. The Community Youth…

The recently enacted public employee drug testing policy in Kansas is utilized as a basis to speculate on the future of drug screening in education and to offer guidelines to public school districts considering implementation of voluntary or required testing. (MLF)

The first National Drug Control Strategy set ambitious two and five-year performance based goals: (1) to lower the rate of drug use by 10 percent over 2 years among both youth and adults; and (2) to lower the rate by 25 percent over 5 years. The chapters in this updated version are keyed to the strategies three priorities: (1) Stopping Use Before…

A survey was conducted investigating the health habits and attitudes of 18,000 K-12 students enrolled in Kansas public schools. This document presents results of the study in tabular form. Information is provided on responses to questions dealing with: (1) stress management; (2) nutrition; (3) use of alcohol; (4) safety; (5) smoking; and (6)…

The use and abuse of dangerous and illicit drugs, particularly among young people, continues to rise despite recent efforts to develop and implement drug education programs in schools. This study investigated substance use by rural Kansas fifth and sixth graders. Independent variables were gender, family structure, perceived relationship with…

This document uses a school report card format to present information on the current well-being of Kansas' children. "Grades" are based on 17 indicators of well-being in five areas: (1) safety and security (violent crime, child abuse and neglect, and childhood poverty); (2) health (early prenatal care, low birthweight, infant mortality,…

This guide for educators, human service workers, and others interested in social gerontology contains four sections covering fifteen subject areas/sessions. Unit 1, Societal Structure and Its Relationship to the Aged, presents data concerning demographics of the aging population, historical factors having an impact upon value processing of older…

This Kids Count data book profiles the status of children in Kansas, based on 17 indicators of well being. The indicators are grouped into four areas: (1) economic well-being--births to single teens, children approved for free school meals, and children receiving economic assistance; (2) physical health and safety--child death rates, infant…

The Kids Count Data Book examines trends in the well-being of Kansas children. The statistical portrait is based on trends in 22 indicators of child well-being, grouped into 5 areas: (1) economic well-being--births to single teens, free school meals, family economic assistance, child poverty rates; (2) physical health and safety--childhood deaths,…

This Kids Count data book provides state and county trends in the well-being of Kansas' children. The statistical portrait is based on 22 indictors in the areas of economic well-being, physical health and safety, childhood care and education, emotional well-being, and social behavior and social control. Following a state profile, county data are…

This Kids Count Data Book provides state and county trends in the well-being of Kansas' children. The statistical portrait is based on 21 indicators of well-being: (1) births to single teens; (2) children in poverty; (3) children approved for free school meals; (4) childhood deaths; (5) infant mortality; (6) births with early prenatal care; (7)…

The Kids Count Data Book examines trends in the well-being of Kansas children. This statistical portrait is based on trends in 22 indicators of child well-being, grouped into 5 areas: (1) economic well-being--births to single teens, child poverty rates, free school meals, and family economic assistance; (2) physical health and safety--childhood…

This KIDS COUNT Data Book provides state and county data on the well-being of Kansas' children. The statistical portrait is based on 22 indicators of well-being: (1) births to single teens; (2) children living in poverty; (3) children receiving free school meals; (4) children in families receiving economic assistance; (5) childhood deaths; (6)…