A review of 19 studies on Native Americans examined 12 focused on chronic conditions (diabetes, heart disease, substance abuse, fetal alcohol syndrome) and 7 on prevention (dental disease, prenatal/infant health, nutrition, HIV prevention, health promotion). Results showed Native Americans particularly at risk for diabetes and alcohol abuse and…

Defines community empowerment (CE) at individual, organizational, and community levels; fits CE within a model of stress and health status; describes instruments to measure CE as used in the Detroit Area Survey. Presents guidelines for and barriers to a CE perspective in health education. (SK)

Photonovels, based on empowerment education, feminist theory, and documentary photography, enable people with little money, power, or status to communicate needed changes to policymakers. Use of the process with 62 rural Chinese women shows how it contributes to changed consciousness and policy formation. (SK)

Formative evaluation of San Francisco's Homeless Prenatal Program showed that it improves birth outcomes and transforms clients' lives. Its empowerment model emphasizes the mother-child connection as well as "giving back"; community health outreach workers were themselves homeless mothers who provide peer support and serve as role models. (SK)

A health promotion program in the Mississippi Delta used an empowerment approach based on community competence factors: participation, commitment, self-other awareness, articulateness, conflict containment, social relations, participatory decision making, and social support. After one year, community competence moved from internal social…

As implemented in Boston, the federal Healthy Start Initiative aimed at reducing infant mortality revealed the following: (1) conflict is inherent in a federal program that also calls for community participation and control; (2) trust among community-based partners is essential; and (3) meaningful input from community members is necessary if…

In the holosphere model of empowerment for health promotion, five spheres are linked: personal care, small group development, community organization, coalition building and advocacy, and political action. The model presumes that professionals and institutions are capable of change and of sharing power. (SK)

Presents a descriptive analysis of 13 nationally available smoking cessation programs. To gather data, researchers used a review form that measured program setup, duration, cost, techniques, success rate, availability, and discussion of issues involved with smoking cessation. Researchers also examined program manuals and interviewed program…

Reports on a study of 1,915 male and female adolescents that assessed weight-related practices and concerns of smokers and nonsmokers. Smokers were less satisfied with their weight and more likely to perceive themselves as overweight than nonsmoking peers (even though the groups did not differ in body mass index). (SM)

Provides an overview of professions working in multidisciplinary health promotion and disease prevention efforts, focusing on medical specialties, public health, behavioral medicine, health psychology, health education, and health behavior. Major challenges general to all the fields include reimbursement, priorities, professional preparation,…

Describes a study of weight control techniques and bulimic tendencies among elite female participants in an Olympic Swimming Selection Meet. Results showed concern with thinness, body dissatisfaction, and unhealthy eating, dieting, and weight loss patterns among participants. Discusses the explanatory power of the PRECEDE model. (SM)

Focus groups at four middle schools examined the health topic areas of most concern to young adolescents, noted interrelationships among health issues, and gathered opinions on how to improve classroom health instruction. Sex, drugs, and violence were students' main health concerns. Students had numerous suggestions for improving classroom…

Middle schools must place high academic emphasis on health education and critical thinking skills which are developmentally important for young adolescents. Reasons why young adolescents should apply critical thinking to health issues include enhancing cognitive development, making health risk decisions, and preparing to be informed citizens. (SM)

Reports on interviews with school personnel to determine the intensity of K-8 exposure to prevention topics and teaching strategies and to describe the degree of school support for prevention topics. Results indicated that the topics and strategies considered most necessary for successful prevention were those least used. Support for school…

Reviews the Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development Task Force Report (1989) "Turning Points" and looks at some successful middle school programs. Some issues discussed are diversity; self-deveelopment and self-definition; student participation; school and community; social interaction; school climate; and curriculum and instruction. (SM)