Responses from 322 (71%) health promotion program administrators tested a level of institutionalization scale. Results support four factors for routinization of program in each subsystem (production, maintenance, support, management) and four on degree of program saturation in subsystems. Routinization correlated more highly with program…

Data from 6 samples of 822 parents tested the validity of Parent Health Locus of Control scales, which measure parental beliefs in child, divine, fate, media, parental, and professional influences on child health. Results generally agreed with predicted differences, supporting validity of the scales. (SK)

Evaluation with over 4,000 seventh and eighth graders in California and Oregon showed that Project ALERT, a curriculum to curb drug use by teaching resistance to pressures, successfully dampened cognitive risk factors for cigarette and marijuana use but had limited impact on beliefs about alcohol. (SK)

Data from 218 predominantly Latino mothers who rated 17 foods in terms of 10 attributes (e.g., appeal to child, convenient preparation) were sorted into family subgroups, from high health to high taste. Mothers' health knowledge correlated with children's nutrient intake. Interventions were planned to teach preparation of healthful foods that…

An intensive intervention group (n=247) of 9-11 year olds were exposed to SKIN SAFE, a curriculum about sun protection. A standard group (n=180) received a lecture about skin cancer; control group numbered 185. The intensive group were significantly more likely to use high levels of protection; no differences were apparent between the standard and…

Studies suggest that stress, emotions, personality, and cognition can affect the immune system's response to disease. This paper argues the need for psychoneuroimmunology to be taught in health education courses and provides a brief overview of research showing the link between the mind and the immune system. (GLR)

A study of 140 undergraduate students in health education courses investigated the impact of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) education on AIDS-related student attitudes. Results indicated that instruction had a positive influence on student attitudes and that gender differences in attitudes can be moderated through active education. (GLR)

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)

Studies of the Arthritis Self-Management Program conclude that (1) it improves patient behaviors and self-efficacy; (2) formal reinforcement does not improve long-term outcomes; (3) improvement gains have both clinical and cost-saving effects; and (4) changes in health status are more closely linked to self-efficacy than to behavior. (SK)

Data from 104 participants in the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Self-Help Course showed that patients had significant increases in enabling skills and use of relaxation/exercise and decreases in depression. Amount of time spent in class was correlated with significant changes over time. (SK)

A survey of 120 postal worker participants in a back safety course and 89 controls found (1) there was increased knowledge among experimentals but no significant behavior change; and (2) experimentals were less likely to report reinforcement for healthy behaviors. The complexities of worker social support show that it cannot be relied upon to…

A walking program for osteoarthritis patients promoted adoption by guided practice, reinforcement, and stimulus control; facilitated compliance by behavioral contracting; maintained behavior change through generalization and self-control strategies; and prevented relapse by realignment of normative beliefs and planned relapse techniques. (SK)

Discusses the need for many interdisciplinary approaches and interventions, including societal and economic reforms, in preventing interpersonal violence. After examining factors related to violent behavior, violence prevention in health promotion, and the health educator's role, the article presents examples of violence prevention efforts. (SM)

According to the Web of Causation epidemiologic model, every disease has multiple causes, and every cause also has multiple causes. The article describes a Web project in an introductory epidemiology course and includes specific guidelines for the written project and a model student web. (SM)

Describes the Entry-Level Skills Portfolio (ELSP) as a repository to enable students to document and develop their employability skills and to foster their awareness of the occupational relevance of the guidelines developed by the National Task Force on the Preparation and Practice of Health Educators. (SM)