This study examined 376 African American adolescents' perceptions about the presence of guns in school and responses associated with the perceptions. One-quarter believed that other students brought guns to school. Those perceptions related positively to their experiences of fear at school and behaviors of school avoidance and bringing weapons for…

Reports a study that examined how levels of physical activity and participation on school athletic teams correlated with tobacco and alcohol use among adolescents. Results indicated that level of physical activity and athletic participation correlated with less cigarette smoking but more binge drinking. (SM)

This study investigated whether the politics of gay rights have affected school district programs regarding sexual orientation. Data from school districts nationwide indicate that most school districts are not offering recommended program elements related to sexual orientation issues. Districts within localities with gay rights protection are…

The Urban Intergenerational Outreach Education Program transferred cancer prevention from a cancer center to community and school settings, involving a university, an academic medical center, a school district, and a nonprofit arts organization. Project staff developed the culturally and developmentally appropriate curriculum for urban middle…

Data from a nationwide survey of school districts were used to contrast roles of nurses and health assistants in school health programs. Results indicated that nurses were underused in school health education. Health assistants tended to administer medication and basic first aid, and nurses provided technically involved clinical services. (SM)

Highlights the school health coordinator as an essential, unifying element in the eight-component model of the comprehensive school health program, with responsibilities including administration, integration of personnel and programs, evaluation, and direct intervention. The number of program elements is reduced to five by transferring staff…

A comprehensive school-based prevention program based on an ecological model is recommended. Important components include staff training; classroom interventions; integration of relevant material into the existing curriculum; individual counseling and small group work with high-risk students; referral systems; opportunities for healthy eating;…

Presents the position of the National Association of State School Nurse Consultants regarding delegation of school health services to unlicensed personnel, explaining what school health means, what safe delegation of school nursing activities requires, and how the nurse uses professional judgment to determine which activities may be delegated and…

This study investigated contemporary social cognitive variables and likely adult influence factors in predicting intended and self-reported vigorous physical activity in young adolescents. Student surveys indicated that frequency and intensity of adult encouragement was a significant predictor of children's self-reported strenuous physical…

A hospital, school district, and pediatrician collaboration ensured all elementary students access to health care. School nurses referred students without health insurance needing health care to hospital-provided nurse practitioners for primary care. The hospital provided pharmacy, radiology, laboratory, and emergency services. The pediatrician…

Focus groups were used to examine ninth graders' participation in school nutrition programs, their opinions about the programs, and suggestions for improvements. Students expressed intense dislike and distrust of school meals. Suggestions for improvement included improving food's taste and appearance, serving a wider variety and more fresh fruits…

The Dartmouth Health Promotion Study was a longitudinal, quasi-experimental study that examined whether coordinating school health instruction, health services, and healthful environments would enhance the program's effects on children's heart and mental health. Analysis of fourth- through sixth-grade participants and nonparticipants indicated…

Reports on a study that examined the comfort level of eighth-grade teachers who used nontraditional teaching strategies in sexuality education classes. Surveys indicated that most were comfortable teaching sexuality education, though a quarter to a third never or rarely used nontraditional strategies such as role playing, small group discussion,…

This study examined whether differences in social-cognitive determinants of activity behavior could account for gender differences in physical activity. Fifth graders (n=365) provided information on afterschool physical activity and determinants of activity behavior. Only differences in self-efficacy and participation in community sports accounted…

The National Commission on Adolescent Sexual Health developed a professional consensus statement about adolescent sexual health. Its report for policymakers recommends that adults face the facts about adolescent sexuality and that public policies on adolescent sexual health be based on appropriate knowledge, accurate data, current theory, ongoing…