Cigarette smoking has been identified as the most important source of preventable morbidity and premature mortality worldwide (American Lung Association, 2002). Statistics show that youth who do smoke report having their first cigarette while in middle school, thus this is a critical opportunity for prevention (Eissenburg & Balster, 2000). This…

This study focus tested the acceptability of a set of six 1400 kcal and six 1800 kcal culturally appropriate cholesterol-lowering menus developed for low-income Mexican-Americans with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The focus group, made up of 11 low-income Mexican-American women without SLE, found the menus to be generally culturally valid,…

For several years, HIV infection has increasing rapidly in Eastern Europe and Russia (UNAIDS, 2000, 2003). The purpose of the study was to investigate the HIV and STD knowledge, sexual behaviors and drug taking behaviors of adolescents in southern Russia. The instrument was compiled by the authors, professionally translated, and pilot tested. Most…

The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between self-efficacy and fat-related dietary behavior among a sample of first and second generation Chinese Americans living in New York City. A survey questionnaire was administered to a purposive sample of 743 Chinese Americans, ranging from ages 21 to 73. The questionnaire measured…

Literacy in the United States is a widespread problem. There are many Americans who do not have the ability to read at a level above the ninth grade. Today's technological advances have resulted in more information being placed on the Internet. Consequently, the same individuals who had a limited capacity to read information from traditional…

In recent years, many health educators have integrated computer applications into their health education program interventions. The assessment of the impact of these interventions is limited. This study assessed the impact of the Pyramid Challenge nutrition software program on nutrition knowledge levels of students enrolled in traditional personal…

This study examined the priority health behaviors among Chinese youth by administering a questionnaire to 1,917 undergraduates enrolled in three universities in China. The response rate was 89.7%. This survey found that 75.2% of the participants tried cigarettes at least once during their lifetime, over half had their first cigarette and alcoholic…

As use of the Internet continues to expand, the width of the digital divide between the "haves" and the "have nots" will expand as well. Caught in the forefront of the "have nots" are those living within a region of the south known as the Black Belt. This area contains the greatest levels of poor, uneducated, and Black Americans which according to…

Surveyed parents regarding their perceived needs in preventing their adolescents from engaging in substance use. The main needs were in learning how to teach their children to resist peer pressure to use substances and to communicate effectively with them concerning substance use. The most common resources parents used to obtain information were…

Investigated elementary school teachers' perspectives on barriers and enablers to teaching health in the classroom. Data from teacher interviews and focus groups revealed several barriers and few enablers, with three general thematic areas: existing policies or guidelines for instruction, limited instruction time, and teacher preferences. Overall,…

Recommends involving college students with their local community to establish a better understanding of the consequences of drug abuse, proposing a project in which students monitor driving while intoxicated (DWI) cases utilizing a service learning strategy. After participating in court monitoring of DWI cases, students write and share reflective…

Examined the relationship between teacher preparation and health teaching self-efficacy among elementary and secondary preservice teachers. Student teacher pre-post surveys indicated that students felt most comfortable teaching topics covered in the health classes they were enrolled in. Elementary education majors and minors had lower perceived…

Presents the significant health education needs of youth with disabilities, examining heath education issues and implications of the Healthy People 2010 agenda for this population and offering recommendations for improving the health status of youths with disabilities with regard to research, health education programs, and professional development…

Rural secondary school students completed questionnaires defining the terms "abstinence" and "sexual activity." There was no uniform agreement in students' perceptions of the terms. Students' definitions were not more precise than the terms they were asked to define. Age, gender, virginity status, attendance at religious services, and perceived…

Examined a collaboration between health education and psychological services in generating a high school depression and suicide prevention program. The five-component program raised awareness of teen depression and suicide, increased communication about these issues within the school and community, and provided information about available…