Used social marketing to identify factors influencing women's breast cancer screening behaviors. Data from focus groups and interviews with diverse women highlighted women's attitudes, knowledge, and barriers regarding screening. Results were used to develop a comprehensive social marketing plan to motivate irregular users of breast cancer…

Dry-chemistry cholesterol analysis has made screening feasible in a variety of settings. The article provides practical tips for the implementation of mass cholesterol screening using a portable dry-chemistry analyzer and discusses issues involved in conducting effective cholesterol screening programs from start to finish. (SM)

Health communication helps change behaviors in a large audience regarding a specific problem in a predefined time period. This article illustrates linkages between diffusion theory, social marketing, and health communication, articulating examples of health communication campaigns and discussing three models of health communication programs…

The Aberdeen (South Dakota) Area Indian Health Service has sponsored educational projects to reduce risk of HIV transmission via skin piercing and flesh offerings during traditional Sun Dance ceremonies. Projects emphasized universal precautions, provided medical supplies, and respected the sacredness of the ceremony. Evaluation indicates that…

Researchers assessed the health education and promotion backgrounds, classroom practices, and attitudes about health education of 286 elementary educators. Survey results indicated teachers performed some health instruction and understood student health needs, but most had little formal training in the area and did not attend inservice workshops…

Introduces service learning for those who teach health or the methods of health promotion, tracing the development of service learning, identifying two schools of service learning practice (the service-first orientation and the learning-first orientation), and proposing a definition of service learning that is broad enough to include both schools.…

Learning activities related to visiting a salad bar can help students apply basic nutrition concepts to real-life situations and make healthier choices at restaurants and in food preparation. The paper describes a class activity involving students in setting up a salad bar, making choices among ingredients and dressings, and taking home leftovers.…

Presents a primer for health educators about blood donation and transfusion, examining the nature of human blood, the background of blood transfusion, blood donation criteria, risks related to homologous blood transfusion, directed blood donation, potential alternatives to homologous transfusion, and resources for education on the subject. (SM)

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…

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…

Paper expresses concern over the poor health of many Americans, anger that the situation is allowed to exist, and guilt that most people offer little remedy. Stresses the need for all Americans to commit to doing something with the belief that they can meaningfully improve their neighbors' health. (SM)

Researchers examined college and university graduate bulletins to determine titles, admission information, and graduation requirements for master's degree health education programs. Degrees most common in nonschools of public health were master of science and of education. In schools of public health, master of public health degree were most…

Elementary students (n=900) received a nutrition education program focusing on cognitive and behavioral aspects of cardiovascular health. Assessments of their health knowledge and behavior were conducted at baseline and at five follow-up periods. Children increased their knowledge and improved food patterns, but among the cardiac risk factors,…