Describes seven case studies from a range of health settings in terms of the diversity of expression of the principles of community-oriented primary care (COPC). Suggests COPC is not limited to publicly funded programs. Argues that the organization of financing and the lack of feasible quantitative tools hinder the full development of the COPC…

Findings of a study on Hispanic student and faculty representation at Schools of Public Health indicate substantial underrepresentation of both groups. The University of Puerto Rico graduates half of all Hispanic public health graduates and employs two-thirds of all Hispanic public health faculty. (Author/GC)

Describes a health and human rights framework for conceptualizing and responding to the causes and consequences of youth substance use, reviewing international and national efforts to address youth substance use and discussing the intersection between health and human rights. A methodology for modeling vulnerability in relation to harmful…

To compensate for an unhealthy food environment, foods high in calories, fat, or sugar could be subjected to special taxes, with costs of healthful foods subsidized. This paper reviews state tax laws, identifying 19 states and cities that levy such taxes. These taxes raise about $1 billion annually. The paper proposes using such revenues to fund…

Provides a mathematical model for comparing the infant mortality rates (IMRs) of different States to long-term trends. Presents separate analyses of white IMRs in 49 States and non-white IMRs in 30 States. Nine States had infant mortality trends less favorable than the national experience and 1981-83 rates more than 5% above the national average.…

Presents a case study of a tuberculosis outbreak in which a rural South Carolina seventh-grade student with infectious cavitary, pulmonary tuberculosis was implicated as the source of infections in 40 percent of the junior high-school student body. (KH)

Presents results of a serologic survey for antibodies to Toxocara canis (the common roundworm of dogs) in a sample of 4,652 New York City children. Discusses findings of a case-control study conducted to identify host and environmental risk factors for T. canis infection and to investigate its consequences. (KH)

Graduate schools of public health are reconsidering the way they prepare students for public health practice, working to ensure that graduates with master's of public health degrees are competent to meet the current challenges of practice. Alumni of schools of public health may be required to demonstrate competency in the domains of skills,…

An outbreak of measles occurred in a high school with a documented vaccination level of 98 percent. When measles is introduced in a highly vaccinated population, vaccine failures may play some role in transmission but such transmission is not usually sustained. (Author/LHW)

Examination of data from a national survey reveals that the odds of ever smoking are not higher for blacks than for whites. The odds of heavy smoking for blacks are far less than for whites. Blacks are significantly less likely to quit smoking than whites, regardless of socioeconomic or demographic factors. (Author/BJV)

Reviews a model by Joel Kleinman (proposed in this issue) for comparing State infant mortality rates to long-term trends. Asserts that even States with non-significant test results may have problems needing attention. Argues that the model may not be practically applied by State health officials. (KH)

Analysis of head injuries and total injuries resulting from bicycle crashes among members of a health maintenance organization. Injuries per 100,000 population, per 100 miles ridden, and according to season and day of the week are reported. Individuals between 5 and 14 are at highest risk. The data can be used in community bicycle helmet campaigns…

Discusses the mounting evidence for the neurological damage of childhood lead poisoning. Argues that ignoring lead poisoning is more expensive than preventing it. Reviews a recent plan to eradicate lead poisoning and the sociological factors that may impede its implementation. (CJS)

Compared the effectiveness of the American Cancer Society's "FreshStart," the American Lung Association's "Freedom from Smoking," and a laboratory smoking cessation clinic. A one-year followup favored the more intensive laboratory and "Freedom from Smoking" clinics over the "FreshStart" method. (FMW)