Knowledge of why students are not utilizing services is limited. This study utilized focus groups to investigate the sexual health education needs of college women at a Midwestern university and to determine how the university could meet those needs with health education programming. (LKS)

A variety of programs have produced changes in knowledge, behavior, and health for arthritis patients. National dissemination of patient education programs is in progress. Research needs center on new populations, delivery methods, and arthritis-specific applications of theory. (SK)

Conducted health promotion trial involving university faculty and staff (n=198) aged 50 to 69 who had completed a health risk screening. Found that predictors of intention to exercise were education, gender, self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, perceived barriers, and baseline exercise frequency. Baseline exercise frequency was the only predictor of…

The most important part of any babysitting job is everyone's safety while the parents are gone. The article makes suggestions about what parents should ask prospective babysitters before hiring them and discusses issues that parents must cover with babysitters before leaving them alone with the children. (SM)

The average American child lives on a fat-laden diet, watches too much television, and gets insufficient exercise. A comprehensive, cost-effective school program based on three interrelated components--health education, health services, and a healthy environment--should increase awareness of healthy lifestyles and build in strategies for involving…

Examined effects of family structure on adequacy of prenatal care and birth outcomes using data for 18,594 women who experienced either live birth, fetal death, or infant death in 1988. Found major differences in effect of family structure across racial/ethnic groups. Effect of family structure was less important for black or white women than for…

Found that older adults enrolled in Health Maintenance Organization who were higher users of health care services were willing to participate in health promotion programs. People aged 85+ and those with chronic diseases were slightly more reluctant to participate. Close proximity to clinic and family physician support were important correlates of…

Discusses breast cancer and teenagers, focusing on how parents can introduce the subject and encourage breast self-examination. The article provides information on breast cancer statistics, mammography, and American Cancer Society services. (SM)

Astronauts on lengthy spaceflights must exercise regularly to forestall muscle atrophy and bone loss, but exercise presents unique problems in a weightless environment. All exercise equipment must have a harness or seat belt. Soviet and NASA space exercise plans and experimental ideas are discussed. (Author/SM)

In plans for health care reform, the role of health education in reducing risk behaviors associated with leading causes of death must be recognized. Reform offers new opportunities for prevention programs in schools, worksites, and communities. (SK)

Review of 57 studies of effectiveness of intervention in changing dental health behavior showed that education can improve behavior and oral health but has limited success in changing attitudes and achieves only short-term knowledge gains. (SK)

Describes treatment program at Charter Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas, which incorporates comprehensive medical examination, fitness and nutritional screenings, and appropriate exercise activities into alcohol and other substance abuse treatment. Notes that educational sessions are offered on health fitness, risk reduction, stress management,…

Research indicates that increased strength leads to improved balance and functional mobility and that nearly every senior patient can benefit from basic resistance training. The article provides guidelines for physicians on prescribing resistance training and for patients on increasing strength. (SM)

Latino youths completed surveys about their knowledge of risk factors for oral cancer and tobacco and alcohol use. Additionally, trained youths attempted to purchase cigarettes from local stores. Respondents were ill-informed about oral cancer. Over half knew risk factors for smoking and alcohol use. Over half of the stores would have sold…

Discusses research which suggested that building specific developmental assets among adolescents related to lowered risk-behavior patterns and increased patterns of thriving behavior among an aggregate sample of nearly 100,000 secondary school students in 213 U.S. communities. The paper discusses issues related to the scientific foundations,…