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This paper, based on an analysis of cancer articles published in popular periodical literature since the early part of the century, argues that gender has played a key role in medical and popular understandings of cancer. Cancer education, the author finds, has taught women and men different things. Public health materials created with the intention of improving health through education actually send a multiplicity of messages, not all of them helpful. This essay suggests that public health messages targeted by sex are problematic, although perhaps necessary. The paper also contributes to scholarship concerned with the question of how people develop their ideas about risk of disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the contribution of Dr. George Rosen to the literature of American public health. Details related to Rosen's life and career development as an editor, physician, teacher, and historian are reviewed. It is stated that he opened the first issue of the "Journal of the History of Medicine and Allied Sciences," in 1946 and among the finest examples of his contribution to public health literature, are his studies on the hazards of medical occupation. Also included is a discussion of his paper "Urbanization, Occupation and Disease in the United States: 1870-1920. The Case of New York City."

Introduction: During COVID-19, healthcare providers reported decreased testing volumes, which meant fewer people knew their HIV status. To improve testing volumes, The County of Santa Clara Public Health Department offered a pilot HIV self-testing (HIVST) program for eligible populations. Material and methods: The purpose of this study was to understand overall reach of the intervention and effectiveness of strategies used to raise the program awareness from November 2021 to August 2022, using an observational study design. Participants were recruited through both in-person and digital outreach methods. Individuals completed an online survey in order to participate in the study. Research team collected and analyzed all responses using descriptive analysis. Results: A total of 458 individuals participated in the program. Of participants 232 that responded to optional questions the majority (77%) were identifying as male and 7% identifying as transgender, gender non-binary, or genderqueer. Social media advertisements on gay dating apps and outreach at community events were identified as effective methods for increasing awareness. Of the total participants, 21% had never taken an HIV test before, 58% selected this program for convenience reasons, and 41% received pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) services. Conclusions: HIVST programs have the potential to address barriers in accessing testing services. Healthcare providers are encouraged to offer HIVSTs as options for patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The growing diversity in U.S. society encourages the need for culturally competent healthcare professionals to provide optimal services to a diverse population. This increasing diversity also brings greater awareness to health disparities among distinct subgroups of the U.S. population. Addressing health disparities in the USA will require a multidimensional approach from various sectors, including the field of education. Developing health disparities curricula can help cultivate conscious future health practitioners. Faculty development programs can be integral in equipping faculty to develop curricula on and teach students about health disparities. With a growth in online learning and in the number of adult learners within the health professions field, it is important to design online curricula to prepare students to engage with diverse populations with varied healthcare needs. The purpose of this paper is to describe faculty efforts to teach and evaluate health disparities-related education in an online graduate course on cultural competence in Public Health practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most scarcities that underpin health disparities within and among countries are not natural; rather, they result from policy choices and the operation of social institutions. Using examples from the United States of America: the Chicago heat wave and hurricane Katrina, this paper develops "denaturalizing scarcity" as a strategy for enquiry to inform public-health ethics in an interconnected world. It first describes some of the resource scarcities that are of greatest concern from a public-health perspective, and then outlines two (not mutually exclusive) lines of ethical reasoning that demonstrate their importance. One of these involves the multiple relationships that link rich and poor across national borders in today's interconnected world. The paper then briefly describes ways in which globalization and the associated institutions are linked to health-threatening scarcities. The paper concludes that denaturalizing scarcity represents a valuable alternative to mainstream health ethics, directing our attention instead to why some settings are "resource poor" and others are not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research suggests that significant health disparities exist among the gay and lesbian population in the United States. These disparities impact both the short- and long-term health outcomes of this population. This study first provides a current literature review of available research on gay and lesbian health disparities and organizes these findings according to health topic. The paper then investigates recommendations for the elimination of racial and ethnic health disparities and examines their applicability in eliminating sexual minority disparities. While many recommendations are valid, this paper analyzes the six thought to have the greatest potential in eliminating gay and lesbian health disparities. These recommendations are then prioritized using three criteria. Ultimately, this study examines the factors that contribute to this issue, and discusses how researchers, organizations, and policymaker must work together to eliminate these health disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The President's Committee on Health Education was created by Richard M. Nixon in September 1971 and submitted its final report in September 1973. The committee resulted from the convergence of (1) a perceived national domestic policy need in response to escalating medical costs, (2) Nixon's personal and political ambitions, and (3) the dynamic political context of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Its work led to both private and public initiatives designed to influence the public's health through education; its findings and recommendations also laid the foundation for the National Consumer Health Information and Health Promotion Act of 1976 and thus contributed significantly to the development of subsequent national policy in health promotion and disease prevention. This paper places the work and contributions of the committee into historical perspective by analyzing the committee's origins and methods and the underlying politics that shaped its work and final report. The impact of the President's Committee is traced from the emergence of health education in the early 1970s as a potentially cost-effective alternative to medical care to the pivotal role health education now plays in health promotion and disease prevention efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper summarizes existing data on the size and composition of the federal environmental health workforce, delineates the major categories of activities carried out by its members, identifies current and emerging issues that are likely to affect workforce activities, and makes qualitative interferences about future trends and directions. Findings suggest that there is a current and future need for more and better qualified professionals in the federal environmental health workforce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the potential of a Cooperative Extension Service to create a new context for the provision of health education services and offers a plan for the use of this potential in the health education of the public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Policy PointsPublic health science regarding alcohol consumption and problems, alcohol's role in equity and social justice, and identification of effective policy interventions has grown steadily stronger in the past 30 years.Progress on effective alcohol policies has stalled or gone backward in the United States and much of the world.Because alcohol influences at least 14 of the 17 sustainable development goals, as well as more than 200 disease and injury conditions, reducing alcohol problems should offer a platform for collaboration across public health silos but will require that public health itself respect and follow its own science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The absence of universally available language services is a national healthcare system failure, the burden of which is suffered by patients with limited English proficiency and their healthcare providers. Conceptualizing mandatory provision of language access as an unfair, unfunded mandate ignores massive and fundamental social changes taking place. Overcoming language barriers is essential to safe, quality health care. This paper, informed by the experience of Hablamos Juntos, a national demonstration project funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, argues that national and health industry investments are needed to develop population-based approaches supported by communication and information technology, and that these investments may prove useful to improving healthcare communication for English-speaking patients as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to review the issues regarding direct-to-consumer advertising that have been identified in the literature from the perspective of consumers, consumer groups, physicians, the medical profession and the pharmaceutical industry. Design/methodology/approach - Literature from international sources was reviewed to identify themes relating to direct-to-consumer advertising. Findings - Direct-to-consumer advertising is expressly permitted in only two developed countries (USA and New Zealand). All other countries place various limitations on the practice. The debate surrounds whether or not the advertising provides a public health benefit. Originality/value - The debate over direct-to-consumer advertising continues in jurisdictions around the world. This paper identifies and summarizes the issues that are being considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the US health-care system continues on a path toward greater patient and provider dissatisfaction and decreasing access to primary health services, there is a growing need for leadership among tomorrow's health professionals. Students of today must acquire the skills to lead the United States toward solutions that will offer universal access and eliminate disparities. As examined in the US, there are two main modes for students to learn these meaningful skills; curriculum- and institution-based leadership development and organiz ation-based leadership development. In this paper we review these two methods from an American perspective and discuss ways that educational institutions can support student leadership development. In addition, we address ways in which non-governmental organiz ations can provide opportunities to foster student leadership. Lastly, we offer recommendations for US policy change at institutional, local, state, and national levels to help achieve the goals stated above. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It was not until pressure mounted from outside the PHS in the early 1960s that more substantive action was taken. Earlier action was not taken because of the way in which PHS scientists (particularly those within the National Institutes of Health) and administrators viewed their roles in relation to science and public health. (Am J Public Health. 2001;91:196-205) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract--Unlike previous studies on the demand for local public education, this paper applies a maximum likelihood technique, developed for a kinked budget constraint, to the case of Wisconsin School Districts and carries out simulations. The results indicate that (1) the bias in estimation under standard econometric techniques is substantial, (2) the so-called flypaper effect indeed exists and (3) the impacts of grants on expenditures and wealth neutrality are different from those obtained by previous studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. This article examines the impact of contentious local debates on the design and implementation of school-based condom availability programs. Methods. Information about condom availability in schools was reviewed by 50 leading educators and health officials at a 1992 forum held in Menlo Park, Calf. Results. Few existing condom availability programs were designed to yield definitive data on sexual risk-taking behavior or other measures of program effectiveness. Conclusions. In the debate over school-based condom availability programs, as in many aspects of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention programs, scientific, moral, and political concerns overlap. Behavioral research into the potential effectiveness of such programs can help inform debates about fundamental values concerning sexual decision making and privacy, family integrity and parental autonomy, and public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author comments on the white paper called WIN: A Wellness Initiative for the Nation, which aimed to prevent diseases and illness, enhance health and productivity, and create well-being and flourishing for the people of the U.S. She believes the U.S. government need to redistribute the balance of health care dollars in a way that will reemphasize and reinvigorate health promotion and prevention programs.

Discusses options for biologists to respond to the health threat of the AIDS epidemic in the U.S. Estimation of the Public Health Service that a quarter million AIDS cases would occur by 1991; Infection of Americans with HIV; Acknowledgement that AIDS was a problem by former President Ronald Reagan, who recommended an emphasis on doing blood tests to detect antibodies which react with HIV antigens; View that many biologists could serve as consultants for community organizations to help educate audiences about AIDS and HIV; Discussion of the initial screening test for aids, known as the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); Opinion that effective educational campaigns by biologists could help to halt the spread of HIV.

Abstract: We conducted a nationwide telephone survey of a random sample of United States adults in summer 1988 (n = 2000, response rate = 75 percent) to find out if physicians were providing education and counseling to the public about AIDS and AIDS prevention. Within the previous five years, 94 percent had seen a physician but only 15 percent had discussed AIDS even though most said they would not object to discussing the topic. AIDS-related conversations are not commonplace in physician's offices and in most cases (72 percent) patients are the initiators of such conversations. (Am J Public Health 1990; 80:467-468.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Policy PointsCurrent efforts to reduce infant mortality and improve infant health in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) can benefit from awareness of the history of successful early 20th‐century initiatives to reduce infant mortality in high‐income countries, which occurred before widespread use of vaccination and medical technologies.Improvements in sanitation, civil registration, milk purification, and institutional structures to monitor and reduce infant mortality played a crucial role in the decline in infant mortality seen in the United States in the early 1900s.The commitment to sanitation and civil registration has not been fulfilled in many LMICs. Structural investments in sanitation and water purification as well as in civil registration systems should be central, not peripheral, to the goal of infant mortality reduction in LMICs. Context: Between 1915 and 1950, the infant mortality rate (IMR) in the United States declined from 100 to fewer than 30 deaths per 1,000 live births, prior to the widespread use of medical technologies and vaccination. In 2015 the IMR in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) was 53.2 deaths per 1,000 live births, which is comparable to the United States in 1935 when IMR was 55.7 deaths per 1,000 live births. We contrast the role of public health institutions and interventions for IMR reduction in past versus present efforts to reduce infant mortality in LMICs to critically examine the current evidence base for reducing infant mortality and to propose ways in which lessons from history can inform efforts to address the current burden of infant mortality. Methods: We searched the peer‐reviewed and gray literature on the causes and explanations behind the decline in infant mortality in the United States between 1850 and 1950 and in LMICs after 2000. We included historical analyses, empirical research, policy documents, and global strategies. For each key source, we assessed the factors considered by their authors to be salient in reducing infant mortality. Findings: Public health programs that played a central role in the decline in infant mortality in the United States in the early 1900s emphasized large structural interventions like filtering and chlorinating water supplies, building sanitation systems, developing the birth and death registration area, pasteurizing milk, and also educating mothers on infant care and hygiene. The creation of new institutions and policies for infant health additionally provided technical expertise, mobilized resources, and engaged women's groups and public health professionals. In contrast, contemporary literature and global policy documents on reducing infant mortality in LMICs have primarily focused on interventions at the individual, household, and health facility level, and on the widespread adoption of cheap, ostensibly accessible, and simple technologies, often at the cost of leaving the structural conditions that determine child survival largely untouched. Conclusions: Current discourses on infant mortality are not informed by lessons from history. Although structural interventions were central to the decline in infant mortality in the United States, current interventions in LMICs that receive the most global endorsement do not address these structural determinants of infant mortality. Using a historical lens to examine the continued problem of infant mortality in LMICs suggests that structural interventions, especially regarding sanitation and civil registration, should again become core to a public health approach to addressing infant mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of state continuing medical education (CME) requirements on physician clinical knowledge.Data Sources: Secondary data for 19,563 general internists who took the Internal Medicine Maintenance of Certification (MOC) examination between 2006 and 2013.Study Design: We took advantage of a natural experiment resulting from variations in CME requirements across states over time and applied a difference-in-differences methodology to measure associations between changes in CME requirements and physician clinical knowledge. We measured changes in clinical knowledge by comparing initial and MOC examination performance 10 years apart. We constructed difference-in-differences estimates by regressing examination performance changes against physician demographics, county and year fixed effects, trend-state indicators, and state CME change indicators.Data Collection: Physician data were compiled by the American Board of Internal Medicine. State CME policies were compiled from American Medical Association reports.Principal Findings: More rigorous CME credit-hour requirements (mostly implementing a new requirement) were associated with an increase in examination performance equivalent to a shift in examination score from the 50th to 54th percentile.Conclusions: Among physicians required to engage in a summative assessment of their clinical knowledge, CME requirements were associated with an improvement in physician clinical knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Low income and uninsured individuals often have lower adherence to cancer screening for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer. Health fairs are a common community outreach strategy used to provide cancer-related health education and services.Methods: This study was a process evaluation of seven health fairs focused on cancer screening across the U.S. We conducted key-informant interviews with the fair coordinator and conducted baseline and follow-up surveys with fair participants to describe characteristics of participants as well as their experiences. We collected baseline data with participants at the health fairs and telephone follow-up surveys 6 months following the fair.Results: Attendance across the seven health fairs ranged from 41 to 212 participants. Most fairs provided group or individual education, print materials and cancer screening during the event. Overall, participants rated health fairs as very good and participants reported that the staff was knowledgeable and that they liked the materials distributed. After the fairs, about 60% of participants, who were reached at follow-up, had read the materials provided and had conversations with others about cancer screening, and 41% talked to their doctors about screening. Based on findings from evaluation including participant data and coordinator interviews, we describe 6 areas in planning for health fairs that may increase their effectiveness. These include: 1) use of a theoretical framework for health promotion to guide educational content and activities provided, 2) considering the community characteristics, 3) choosing a relevant setting, 4) promotion of the event, 5) considerations of the types of services to deliver, and 6) evaluation of the health fair.Conclusions: The events reported varied in reach and the participants represented diverse races and lower income populations overall. Most health fairs offered education, print materials and onsite cancer screening. Participants reported general satisfaction with these events and were motivated through their participation to read educational materials or discuss screening with providers. Public health professionals can benefit from this process evaluation and recommendations for designing and evaluating health fairs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This exploratory survey study aimed to identify patient engagement actions that are the most frequently named as being highly important (top 30 by importance) or ones that they want to do (top 30 by desire) for community-dwelling adult patients living in the southern United States. Items not making the list of the top 30 by ability were also identified. Background: Patient engagement is still an ambiguous term among population health and health care professionals in the United States as we lack a clear understanding of what it entails. Methods: This 2015-2016 study used convenience sampling to recruit subjects in a university's student health service department and in eight senior centers. Two hundred and fifty adult patients older than 18 years in the Upper Cumberland region of Tennessee participated in the study (82% response rate). A 57-item inventory, "The Patient Action Inventory for Self-Care," was developed and used to ascertain patients' self-designated preferences and capabilities in order to understand their needs for education and support. Results: Respondents included 159 (63.6%) women, 62 (24.8%) men, and 29 (11.6%) who did not indicate their gender. Combining the list of the top 30 importance items and the list of the top 30 desired items yielded a list of 35 items; noteworthy is the fact that the list of the top 30 ability actions contained nine items that were not found in a previously mentioned list of 35 high-ranking importance and desired items. This study validated the necessity of analyzing patient engagement actions by importance, desirability, and ability to accomplish it. These three levels are distinct from each other. Conclusion: Nurses may use future versions of the inventory to assist patients in identifying self-care actions to engage in. Use of the inventory will demonstrate respect for patients' preferences and may thus improve engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on health promotion strategy developed by the Johns Hopkins Health Institutions. The strategy involves the development of two nationally syndicated health news series for television based on the content and storylines of the television program " ER" and the CBS series "Chicago Hope." It involves the broadcasting of the health news segments on the local news following each of the respective episodes and together reach an estimated 80 million U.S. citizens each week. Both initiatives are aimed at linking scientific information and community resources to educate viewers.

The article describes the changes in the January 1976 issue of the "American Journal of Public Health." As part of the changes, the journal will sport a new cover that is intended to attract more readers. Moreover, editorials will be based from articles published within the issue. The Public Health Briefs section will feature original reports of research and evaluation or accounts of public health projects. The editor claims that the said changes are based from readers' feedback of the journal's layout.

The article focuses on the message of the World Health Organization (WHO) which calls the greater participation of the people in health education in the U.S. for the past 25 years of service. WHO emphasized that health education is not a place only for few practitioners with a given skill but it is an area that needs people from all walks of life in the field of health activities and community developments. WHO had brought so many resolutions prepared by the WHO Executive Board and WHO Assembly that were recommended to all WHO programs and in the strengthening of the health education programs. The U.S. is a member of the organization and is therefore has a serious responsibility of the program.

The article focuses on the effort of the American Public Health Association to take appropriate remedial action in order to control cigarette smoking in the U.S. It was found out that people who continue to smoke are moving consistently toward modifying their habit such as smoking cigarettes with less tar and nicotine. In addition, the association has created programs and educating the public involving the risk associated with cigarette smoking.

Expresses views on the article "The Incidence of Influenza Among Persons of Different Economic Status During the Epidemic of 1918," by Edgar Sydenstricker. Characteristics of the approach used by Sydenstricker in studying public health; Statement issued by Doctor Wade H. Frost regarding the scientific and evidence-based approach of Sydenstricker; Influence of Sydenstricker's article on social programs in the U.S.

The disturbingly low rates of health literacy in the United States translate into increased health risks across society as a whole, and vulnerable populations, in particular. The public health and economic implications of these trends are discussed, and suggestions for improving literacy are provided. If implemented, these suggestions have potential for enhancing public health and quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. We sought to quantify the extent of health selection (i.e., the degree to which potential immigrants migrate, or fail to migrate, on the basis of their health status) among contemporary US immigrant groups and evaluate the degree that selection explains variation in self-rated health among US legal permanent residents. Methods. Data came from the New Immigrant Survey 2003 cohort. We estimated the extent of positive and negative health selection through a unique series of questions asking immigrants in the United States to evaluate their health and compare it to that of citizens in their country of origin. Results. The extent of positive health selection differed significantly across immigrant groups and was related to compositional differences in the socioeconomic profiles of immigrant streams. Conclusions. The salience of socioeconomic status and English-language ability in explaining health differentials across immigrant groups reinforces the importance of further research on the role of these factors in contributing to the health of immigrants above and beyond the need for additional attention to the health selection process. (Am J Public Health. 2008;98:2058-2064. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2006.100974) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Language barriers in medical care are a large and growing problem in the United States. Most research has focused on how language barriers affect patients. Less is known of the physician perspective and the efforts they are making to overcome these barriers.Objective: To learn about current approaches to communicating with limited English-proficient (LEP) patients and the associated financial and nonfinancial constraints that private practice physicians and managers perceive in providing these services.Design: Computer-assisted telephone focus groups with open-ended discussion guide.Setting: Small private practices in geographic areas that have experienced recent dramatic increases in LEP populations.Participants: Primary care physicians, specialists, and practice managers.Approach: Focus group transcripts were systematically coded using grounded theory analysis. The research team then identified common themes that arose across the groups.Results: Citing the cost, inaccessibility, and inconvenience of using professional interpreters, physicians commonly used family and friends as interpreters. Few recalled any actual experience with professional interpreters or were well-informed about the cost of their services. Physicians and office managers voiced uniform concern about how language barriers impede quality and safety of patient care and increased malpractice risk.Conclusions: Health care providers in private practice recognize the importance of overcoming language barriers. However, perceived barriers to implementing cost-effective strategies to these barriers are high. Physicians in private practice would benefit from information about how to best overcome language barriers in their practices efficiently and affordably. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low health literacy is a major challenge confronting American and international health organizations. Research in the past decade has documented the prevalence of limited literacy and limited health literacy skills among adults worldwide. This creates a major policy challenge: how to create text-based health information - a common method of health communication - that is accessible to the public. Plain language is a logical, flexible response. While touted by American, Canadian, and European health policy makers, adoption and promotion of plain language standards and skills in health-focused organizations have lagged. Most text-based health information continues to be too hard for most adults to read. Barriers to more rapid diffusion of plain language are reflected in a set of myths perpetuated by critics. These myths are identified and refuted. While plain language is only one of many broad-based solutions needed to address low health literacy, the benefits to everyone demand increased use by health organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Health Resources and Services Administration and All Kids Count (a national technical assistance center fostering development of integrated child health information systems) have been working together to foster development of integrated child health information systems. Activities have included: identification of key elements for successful integration of systems; development of principles and core functions for the systems; a survey of state and local integration efforts; and a conference to develop a common vision for child health information systems to meet medical care and public health needs. We provide 1 state (Utah) as an example that is well on the way to development of integrated child health information systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provides an overview of the community diagnosis (CD) class, a component of the Master's in Public Health program in the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, School of Public Health of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Description of CD; Presentation of selected graduate level responsibilities and competencies addressed through community diagnosis; Presentation of a timetable for the steps of the CD process.

The article presents a position paper from the American Public Health Association relative to the effective nutrition education methodology for the general public in the U.S. The association advocates Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, the Department of Agriculture, and the Federal Trade Commission to undertake research for ascertaining effective nutrition education methodology for the general public. It also petitions these agencies to cooperatively or individually earmark funds for the purpose. Other significant decisions of the group are presented.

The approach of a millennial passage invites public health to a review of past performance and a preview of future prospects toward assuring a healthy public. Since the 1974 Canadian Lalonde report, the best national plans for health progress have emphasized disease prevention and health promotion. WHO'S multinational Health for All by the Year 2000 promotes basic health services essential to leading a socially and economically productive life. Healthy People 2000, the latest US guide, establishes three goals: increase healthy life span, reduce health disparities, and achieve universal access to preventive services. Its objectives can be used to excite public understanding, equip program development, evaluate progress, and encourage public accountability for health initiatives. Needed is federal leadership in defining requisite action and securing necessary resources. Elsewhere a "new public health" emphasizes community life-style and multisectoral "healthy public policy." In the United States, a national health program is needed to achieve equity in access to personal health care. Even more essential is equitable sharing in basic health determinants in society—nutritious food, basic education, safe water, decent housing, secure employment, adequate income, and peace. Vital to such a future is able and active leadership now from governments and public health professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the contribution of the editor George Rosen on the American public heath tradition. Rosen expresses his concern on the importance of public health tradition through the books he wrote including "A History of Public Health and Preventive Medicine in the United States, 1900-1975," and as an editor of the "American Journal of Public Health." It is stated that he devoted mostly of his editorials to outstanding health workers. Detailed information regarding Rosen's editorials as well as the significant participation of the American Public Association's presidents is discussed.

Three techniques for improving immunization levels among school-age children were tested and then compared for most effective use of school nurses' time. Method A involved reviewing school immunization records, specifically inviting immunization-deficient children to a school-based clinic, with some follow-up to achieve good response. Method B involved sending out permission slips for a school-based clinic to all students without additional investment of nursing time. Method C involved a health education program encouraging parents to have their children immunized on their own. Using an average of 38 hours of school nurse time, Method A succeeded significantly better than Method B in immunization levels, while giving fewer unnecessary improvement of immunization levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A set propositions is offered to provide a frame of reference for proposed strategies to improve healthful behavior by placing personal choice-making in the context of societal option-setting. The health status of populations at a given point in time is seen as a result of customary personal choice-making. These choices in turn are limited by both the perceived and actual options available to individuals, depending on their personal and their community's resources, from which to make choices, Most people, most of the time will make the easiest choices, i.e., will do the things, develop the patterns or life-styles, which seem to cost them less and/or from which they will gain more of what they value in tangible and/or intangible terms. The range of options available to them, and the ease with which they may choose certain ones over others, is typically set by organizations, public and private, formal and informal. The more powerful the organization, i.e., the more effective it is in carrying out its policies, the more it affects the populations, whether or not these effects are immediately perceived by individuals in their day-by-day choicemaking. Implications for health education strategies are noted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of incorporating nutrition education in the curricula of schools of public health is discussed and problems encountered in providing such programs are examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observations reported here were made in the course of a study for the American Academy of Pediatrics. Part of the study was to examine newer public medical care programs for children, and to identify aspects and mechanisms which were useful and might appropriately be used in community health programs. Newer programs emphasize a multidisciplinary approach to health and welfare problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The School Health Education Study Group developed a health curriculum designed to teach certain values. What is relationship between the values of a school population and its response the Study Group's health concepts? This report attempts to deal with this question in terms of sample of sixth grade students in a southwestern city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In epidemiologic and public health studies of disease incidence in geographic subpopulations, attention is properly directed toward the ascertainment of accurate numerators. Population or person-years denominators are generally given less consideration, under the assumption that estimates produced by sources other than the state health department are sufficiently accurate. Here, we report our experience in estimating person-years denominators in the highly urbanized, rapidly expanding population of Maricopa County, Arizona. The usual sources of population estimates were found to be of little use for public health purposes, and so we report on a method for obtaining smoothed person-years figures that can accurately reflect population acceleration which varies from one time period to another. Our method is to regress the logarithm of census enumerations on quadratic or tertic polynomials in time. We describe how differential reliability of census figures can be incorporated into our procedure, and how the problem of missing census data can he handled by an iterated regression method. Our evidence suggests that the logarithmic regression model works well, even in the face of rapid and erratic population growth or decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Efforts to prevent heterosexual transmission of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection have thus far focused on modifying sexual behaviors and the use of condoms. While the experience of family planners, particularly in those countries most threatened by heterosexual HIV transmission, has shown that the most effective measures of pregnancy prevention have relied on women, little attention has been given to barriers to HIV transmission that depend on the woman and are under her control. Tactics which interrupt transmission of the virus should be considered in their own right and separated from those that interrupt pregnancy, for insurance, the diaphragm. Greater emphasis is urged for research on preventive methods women could use, including the possibility of a topical virucide that might block transmission through the vaginal route. (Am J Public Health 1990; 80:460-462.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the AIDS prevention efforts of the government in the U.S. The role of the health departments in the control of venereal diseases was a major concern of the American Public Health Association in its early days. It has pinpointed the cause and the channels of transmission of the disease.

The author reflects on the potential of television as a tool for health education in the U.S. Despite various criticisms that television had been a tool of ranging violence and illiteracy, public health professionals initiates the possibility for the medium to be a tool for health educations. In particular, cases regarding the effectivity of the medium for heath awareness are posted. Furthermore, barriers for the accomplishment of this plan which highlights the cost of air time are discussed.

International trends and recently proposed changes risk confining the duties of epidemiologists to support of health services delivery or to serving as functionaries within exclusively clinical departments pose a threat to the future role and training of epidemiologists. It is argued that these attempts would weaken the academic focus for epidemiologists and compromise the system of recognition and rewards available through the hierarchy of the discipline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health planning organizations are faced with the problem of achieving maximum impact despite certain limitations. The attempt to utilize rationality, and the use of a linear programming methodology as a decision-making tool in relation to this problem are presented. Further issues and considerations for the application of this method are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A report is presented on six years activity of a good local program for pregnant young women, many unmarried, and for others who wish to prevent pregnancy. Stress is put on the heed for various services with prominence for health education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]