Explores the status of health care coverage, or lack of coverage, for children and for working families, noting President Clinton's budget plans for improved access, and the implications of managed health care. Suggests that until policymakers devise a solution that will contain skyrocketing health care costs, many American families will continue…

Describes the role and primary functions of school-based health centers, describes several important issues in developing and implementing the centers, and reviews the effectiveness of services provided through school-based health centers. Notes that participation on school-based health services delivery enables school psychologists to expand…

Presents a response to "School Psychologists as Health-Care Providers in the 21st Century: Conceptual Framework, Professional Identity, and Professional Practice" (this issue). The author highlights some of the reforms required of the profession to respond to these challenges and describes implications for the training of practitioners.…

Outlines the medical and social consequences of adolescent pregnancy, including maternal and infant mortality, and low birth weight. Discusses why pregnant adolescents do not seek prenatal care and implications for health providers. (FMW)

Discusses the issue of equal access to mental health and developmental disabilities services for Haitian immigrants in New York State. Demonstrates that Haitians' needs are not being met due to lack of program availability and poor quality care. Presents barriers to access that include cultural, political, legal, and institutional factors. (JS)

Examines characteristics of the rural family relevant to professional AIDS-related human service activities. Considers the family as primary American socialization and support resource, the effects of the AIDS epidemic on family function, and the effects of the rural environment on family support for AIDS victims. Contains 21 references. (DHP)

Findings from national survey of approximately 1,925 U lesbians revealed that over 50% had considered suicide and 18% had attempted suicide; 37% had been physically abused; 32% had been raped/sexually attacked; and 19% had been in incestuous relationships. Almost one-third used tobacco daily, and about 30% drank alcohol more than once a week.…

Maintains that the use of geographic information systems (GIS) to analyze spatial dimensions of health care and disease ecology is becoming a realistic prospect for investigators in the social sciences. Contends that enough information is available to provide instructors with materials for classroom units. (CFR)

The article introduces a special issue on health care for underserved populations, particularly racial and ethnic minorities, describing the emergence of the field of minority health, defining its parameters, and reviewing some of the strategies that will be important in improving the health status of underserved minority populations. (SM)

It is proposed that, in pharmaceutical education, less emphasis be placed on scientific research among pharmacy faculty and more be placed on linking education with community pharmacy practice needs. The praxis approach, in which theory and practice are integrated and faculty and practitioners work together, is recommended. (MSE)

In south-central Kansas school districts, a clinical nurse specialist serves as a liaison for the exchange of medical and health care information between the educators, health care providers, and parents of students with special health needs. The liaison also makes classroom observations and attends individualized education program meetings. (SV)

Issues involved in applying the needs assessment model of the Colorado Social Health Survey to planning and management in Massachusetts are reviewed. The methodology in this special issue provides a new paradigm for mental health needs assessment in general and will be valuable in the Massachusetts plan specifically. (SLD)

Research on women's dental health and on differences between men's and women's dental health issues is reviewed. Factors specifically influencing women's health, including medical, economic, social, psychological, and behavioral factors, are also examined. It is argued that the clustering of risk factors for women indicates a need for more…

Health care reform needs to assure coverage to all children regardless of income level or illnesses; address benefits, financing, administration, and delivery systems; provide substantial subsidies to low-income families; be equitable for all people; provide better monitoring of child health; protect and strengthen health providers who assist…

Examines how health care reform might be structured to provide support for a package of primary care services for children of all socioeconomic strata. An insurance-like financing system, such as the special Medicaid payment system adopted by New York State for public and nonprofit primary health care programs, may be useful as a model for a…