Alcohol abuse and alcoholism are the leading health problems among American Indian communities. Public policy options that address these problems include controlling the supply of alcoholic beverages; shaping drinking practices directly; or reducing physical and social environmental risks. Discusses alcohol-related death rates and community…

Current challenges in women's health in the United States are examined, and Public Health Service initiatives to address them are discussed. Regarding women's oral health, special attention in two areas is advised: (1) recruitment, retention, and career development of women in dental research and education; and (2) research on women's dental…

Interview results provide details on condom use in youth at highest risk for AIDS. Condom use increased with time and age because of positive beliefs concerning condoms and increased awareness of HIV transmission. High-risk youths proved no more likely than lower risk youths to increase their condom use. (RJM)

Examines the growing problem of violence in American society, focusing on the public health consequences and medical costs of firearm violence and violence against children and youths. It discusses the Clinton administration's violence prevention efforts and implications of violence for health and child care professionals. (MDM)

Discusses idea that education "for" the environment should begin as early as do other components of the British National Curriculum, continue throughout, and not be regarded as the poor relation of education "about" the environment. Maintaining the health of the environment is considered by the author to be the most important task that will face…

Describes the development and implementation of the Surgeon General's "Healthy Children Ready to Learn" initiative, which encourages parents to be their children's first teachers, requires nutrition and health care for all children, and emphasizes access to high quality preschool programs for disadvantaged and disabled children. (SM)

Although Blacks face a higher risk of hypertension than other Americans, a comparison between Blacks and Whites participating in a hypertension education series showed no significant differences. The program reduced by 68 percent the number of participants with high blood pressure. Proposes marketing and adherence strategies to attract and retain…

A survey investigated the extent of use of case-based learning in 141 dental hygiene programs. A majority of responding schools use the approach, most frequently in clinical dental hygiene, community dental health, and dental science courses. Proportion of instructional time was greatest in the content areas of special needs, ethics, medical…

Holding the premise that the development of expertise is a continuous process, this study concerns expert models and modeling processes associated with a modeling tool called Model-It. Five advanced Ph.D. students in environmental engineering and public health used Model-It to create and test models of water quality. Using "think aloud" technique…

Objective: This study examined African American college students' perceptions of psychosocial factors that influence racial disparities in health. Methods: We conducted focus groups in two Alabama Black Belt Counties from June to August 2005. Data were collected using a standardized discussion guide, augmented by prompts for clarification.…

Recently published research can be paired with engaging activities to keep students informed about the rapidly changing world of science. "Environmental Health Perspectives" (EHP), a peer-reviewed environmental health research journal (published by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, part of the National Institutes of Health),…

Community-based research has evolved in the field of HIV/AIDS health promotion as a distinct expression of participatory action research in adult education. The authors of this chapter reflect on more than a decade of local knowledge construction to organize and improve the practice of HIV/AIDS health promotion in a variety of contexts.

Newborn screening is considered a highly successful public health program that has resulted in the reduction of mortality, mental retardation, and other serious disabilities in thousands of children since the introduction of screening for phenylketonuria (PKU) in the 1960s. Programs are based in state public health departments such that each state…

Roughly 39% of children and youth with disabilities are physically active (Longmuir & Bar-Or, 2000). Increasing the number of individuals with disabilities who are physically active is a public health priority (Kosma, Cardinal & Rintala, 2002). This paper will highlight the current status of physical activity for persons with a disability by…

Although rates of childhood obesity among the general population are alarmingly high, they are higher still in ethnic minority and low-income communities. The disparities pose a major challenge for policymakers and practitioners planning strategies for obesity prevention. In this article Shiriki Kumanyika and Sonya Grier summarize differences in…