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This paper focuses on the two related issues of employment distribution and access to transit services. Using the 2001 census tract level economic activities and transit routes within the county, a number of analyses were performed to determine the location of major employment centers in Los Angeles County and how these localities may be understood within the context of a transit service operation in a polycentric metropolitan area. The identified economic subcenters contain one-third of the county employment and its firms, collectively. While these economic nodes are networked by the existing bus routes, the connection between employees and their place of work appears to be inadequate. This has created a less than optimal condition in many sections of the metropolitan area. This paper suggests methodologies for encountering this shortcoming. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this study, we investigated the importance of occasion as a source of error variance in (a) estimates of the dependability (generalizability) of science assessment scores and (b) the interchangeability of science test formats. Two science tests were developed to measure 8th-grade students' knowledge of concepts related to electricity and electric circuits: A hands-on assessment that provided students with equipment to manipulate and an analogous pencil-and-paper version. Students were administered both tests on 2 occasions, approximately 1 month apart. Results of the univariate generalizability results showed that explicitly recognizing occasion as a facet of error variance altered the interpretation about the substantial sources of error in the measurement and gave lower estimates of the dependability of science scores. Including occasion as an explicit source of variance in the multivariate generalizability analyses influenced the interpretation of the observed correlation between hands-on and pencil-and-paper scores but had little influence on the estimated disattenuated correlation between assessment methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examines the Blue Line corridor, a 22-mile rail transportation route that connects downtown Los Angeles to downtown Long Beach. The line passes through some of the most neglected and poorest communities in Los Angeles County. Despite initial rhetoric by rail advocates and local politicians the line has not succeeded in improving the economic environment of adjacent communities. In this paper we use the Blue Line as a case-study in an effort to understand the real and perceived barriers to growth around inner city station areas. Based on information gathered through a series of interviews with politicians, planners, community leaders and transportation experts, and site analysis data from extensive field-work, we identify the 'missing antecedents' for neighbourhood development around inner city station areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes how cancer awareness programs are introduced and sustained in South Asian communities in Los Angeles County. The model used to plan this program consists of several phases: 1) an assessment of community readiness, 2) sharing of data, development of partnerships, building a sustainable, infrastructure through culturally specific technical assistance, 3) training and sharing of the most up-to-date and accurate cancer information from the National Cancer Institute. This collaboration was the first step in improving the community's capacity to introduce and sustain breast cancer awareness programs among South Asians in Los Angeles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Los Angeles County established its first drug court program in 1994 in response to escalating criminal activity associated with substance abuse and overcrowded jails. This paper describes results of an evaluation of 803 drug court participants admitted to the program between 1994 and 1997. Of all drug court participants, 76% remained free of any new arrests throughout the one-year followup period, compared to 63% of participants in a drug diversion education program and 49% of the felony defendants not exposed to either program. Of offenders completing the drug court program 80% had no arrests, compared to 67% for non-completers. Drug related re-arrests were significantly lower among drug court graduates (13%) than offenders with no program participation (30%). The study results suggest that drug court participation and graduation decrease the likelihood of repeated arrests, including drug-related arrests. Drug courts represent a promising collaboration between criminal justice and public health agencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This section offers updates related to civic affairs in the U.S. as of June 1994. There has been a civic journalism boom in the country as evidenced by an increase in the number of papers and broadcasters that have adopted community debates. A formal organization is being established by Los Angeles County, California to support money-making ventures. A decision was made by the Massachusetts Department of Social Services (DSS) to privatize its revenue-generating operation to recover lost federal reimbursement dollars.

Objectives. This paper examines the factors associated with health insurance coverage among Chinese Americans in Los Angeles County. Methods. Data were obtained through interviews conducted in 1993 and 1994 with Chinese Americans (aged 18 through 65 years) residing in Los Angeles County. A multistage probability sample was used to select respondents. Results. The final sample consisted of 1747 respondents, which represented an 82% response rate. Thirty-nine percent of the respondents in the survey were without health insurance at the time of the survey. Conclusions. Logistic regression analysis showed that marital status, length of residence in the United States, education, employment, and household income were associated with health insurance coverage among Chinese Americans. (Am J Public Health. 1998;88:451-453) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]