Examined national Youth Risk Behavior Survey data and state and local surveys of high school students to investigate behaviors contributing to unintentional injuries, violence, substance use, age at initiation of risk behaviors, substance abuse on school property, sexual behaviors contributing to pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases,…

Surveyed Baltimore Head Start directors and staff participating in an asthma education intervention at 15 Head Start programs to determine their asthma management practices and education needs. Results revealed discrepancies between staff and directors regarding location of asthma medications and presence of asthma action plans in programs. Both…

Reviewed all district tobacco policies in New York state, developing a policy rubric to assess five policy components (policy development/oversight/communication, purpose and goals, tobacco-free environment, tobacco use prevention education, and assistance to overcome addiction). School policies were evaluated for compliance with state and federal…

Surveyed middle school teachers regarding their classroom food and eating behaviors. Using food (particularly candy) as student incentives was common. Most foods used did not support development of healthy eating habits. Many teachers did not role model healthy eating at school. Prevalent use of vending machines was reported. Correlates of…

Presents a question-and-answer teaching technique for approaching K-12 drug education. Students can work individually or cooperatively to define and identify concepts related to drug use. Teachers supply factual information, dispel myths, and provide appropriate resources to correct errors. The article offers information on lesson objectives,…

Surveyed parents of students in the Houston Independent School District to determine preferences regarding immunization clinic site and preferred consent procedures for a Hepatitis B immunization program. Results indicated a significant lack of parent knowledge regarding the Hepatitis B virus. Demographic variables influenced parents' knowledge…

Examined race, ethnic, and gender specific differences in the association between television viewing and high school students' overweight, decreased physical activity, and unhealthy dietary behaviors. Data from the 1999 Youth Risk Behavior Survey indicated that most students' television viewing exceeded recommended levels, many students were…

Evaluated the effectiveness of a tobacco intervention on preadolescents' tobacco use and attitudes. Surveys of students in intervention and non-intervention schools indicated that though not statistically significant, the number of smokers at the intervention school decreased from 43.2 to 31.1 percent after the intervention. Intervention students…

Examined Youth Risk Behavior Survey data to investigate changes in cigarette smoking among white, black, and Hispanic high school students from 1991-01. Overall, the prevalence of lifetime smoking decreased significantly. The prevalence of current smoking increased, then decreased. For females, the prevalence of current smoking peaked during…

Examined the relationship of race and rural/urban setting to physical, behavioral, psychosocial, and environmental factors associated with physical activity among eighth grade girls. More differences related to race than setting. Black girls were less active and more heavy than white girls. Enjoyment of physical education and family involvement in…

Examined violent behavior and aggression among youth attending 10 urban alternative schools in Texas. Student surveys indicated that aggression significantly related to fighting and weapon carrying. The prevalence of violent behavior was lower among these nontraditional students than among students from the 1998 national alternative Youth Risk…

Analyzed one residential youth program's process of substance abuse treatment, identifying opportunities for collaboration with school health personnel. The treatment enhanced participants' belief in their ability to remain sober using peer support, development of self-control, and acquisition of treatment knowledge. Youth who developed these…

Examined the relationship between academic and behavioral difficulties at school and tobacco use in 4th-7th graders. Data from student interviews at the time of enrollment and 8 months later indicated that average to below-average academic performance at baseline predicted new cigarette use at 8 months. Self-reported school difficulties related to…

Surveyed adolescents at single-sex high schools to examine whether perceptions of physical activity differed by gender. The most helpful cue to physical activity for males and females was having a friend to exercise with. Parental encouragement and having a parent who exercised were also helpful. Wanting to do other things was a common barrier to…

Assessed the cost and effectiveness of contacting parents through schools, educating them about health insurance programs and preventive care, and helping them with insurance applications. Data analysis indicated that accumulative cost per enrolled child was $75. Schools located and assisted large numbers of uninsured children who had failed other…