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Soliciting practitioner input into the planning or revision of Master of Public Health programs is desirable to ensure that students are adequately prepared for public health practice. Members of the American Dietetic Association Public Health/Community Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group (ADA-PH/CNDPG) were surveyed regarding the structure of, as well as the knowledge and skills desirable for, inclusion in a Master of Public Health community nutrition program. A total of 998 surveys were mailed in June 2001 with a return rate of 34%. Approximately 73% of respondents indicated public health employment. The average response regarding optimal time for full-time degree completion was 21.5 months. Almost 60% indicated that a practice component should be required. Important topics to be included in a degree core were assessed as: (1) community assessment; (2) program planning; and (3) health promotion/disease prevention. Nutrition content areas ranked highest were: (1) nutritional epidemiology; (2) nutrition and chronic disease; and (3) nutritional assessment. Core areas ranked highest to be separate courses were: (1) epidemiology; (2) community assessment; and (3) health promotion/ disease prevention. Nutrition areas ranked highest to be separate courses were: (1) nutritional epidemiology; (2) nutrition education; and (3) nutrition and chronic disease prevention. Survey results will help educators better prepare students for practice.

It is the position of the American Dietetic Association that the public has the right to a safe food and water supply. The Association supports collaboration among dietetics professionals, academics, representatives of the agriculture and food industries, and appropriate government agencies to ensure the safety of the food and water supply by providing education to the public and industry, promoting technologic innovation and applications, and supporting further research. Numerous bacterial, viral, and chemical food and water threats exist with certain populations such as the elderly, children, pregnant women, those in institutionalized settings, and the immune compromised being at high risk. Recent outbreaks of food and waterborne disease and threats of bioterrorism have focused attention on the safety of US food and water systems. The US government and other entities have developed programs to address challenges associated with maintaining food and water safety. Safety initiatives such as the Pathogen Reduction/Hazard Analysis Critical Point (HACCP), revisions to the Food Code, and the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations provide a framework to evaluate current and future challenges to the safety of food and water systems. Dietetics professionals should take a proactive role in ensuring that appropriate food and water safety practices are followed and can also assume major roles in food and water safety education and research.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe current physician assistant (PA) curricula and educational efforts related to health promotion and wellness. Method: A questionnaire was sent to all U.S. PA program directors and faculty in Spring 2000. Results: Most PA programs have a large number of health promotion and wellness topics in their curricula. Program directors and faculty are in agreement as to the relative importance of these topics. The majority of program directors and faculty rated curricula coverage of health promotion and wellness topics as being less than “Excellent” or “Good.” Health promotion and wellness topics were reported as being taught primarily by physicians, PA faculty without related degrees, and other health professionals. The majority of programs have campus health promotion and wellness programs that are available to students and faculty. Thirty programs reported that PA faculty are currently involved in health promotion and wellness research.

Natural rubber latex is used in the manufacture of many products in the United States. As natural rubber latex allergy becomes of increasing concern, dietitians need to have an understanding of this allergy and how it relates to workplace safety, employee health, and patient feeding and counseling. Natural rubber latex contains more than 35 proteins that may be related to Type I, Ig-E-mediated allergy in numerous segments of the population, including health care workers and patients. Many foods, especially chestnut, banana, and avocado, have the potential to cross-react with natural rubber latex. Chitinase enzymes, related to plant defense, are believed to be involved in this cross-reaction. A strong connection between food allergy and natural rubber latex allergy is recognized and described in this review.

Ethnic differences in self-reported dietary intake between blacks and whites (participants and nonparticipants in the Food Stamp program) were studied in a group of 102 low-income mothers presenting themselves for treatment at an urban family practice center. The study population included 51 whites, of whom 21 were participants in the Food Stamp program, and 51 blacks, of whom 29 were Food Stamp program participants. The mean age of white and black mothers was approximately 29 years. Mean numbers of children per family were 2.1 for whites and 2.82 for blacks. Food and nutrient intake data were collected using a 24-hour recall and a food frequency questionnaire. Mean intakes of calcium, iron, riboflavin, and thiamin were found to be less than the RDAs for both groups. Whites additionally had mean intakes of vitamin A and niacin that fell below the RDAs. Blacks had significantly higher mean intakes of niacin and protein and a significantly higher 24-hour mean intake of soft drinks than whites. Being a member of the black race was positively associated with consumption of chicken, hot dogs, collard/mustard greens, and white rice. Being a member of the white race was positively associated with consumption of broccoli, potatoes, and whole wheat bread. Among participants in the Food Stamp program, mean intakes of protein, niacin, and soft drinks were significantly higher for blacks than for whites. This study suggests that ethnic differences in food preferences do exist but that those preferences do not translate into major differences in daily reported nutrient intakes. J Am Diet Assoc 88:1081, 1988.

A survey was conducted to assess the prevalence of intestinal parasitism in 65 native-born preschool and school-age children living in an unincorporated area of northern Florida. Fifty-seven percent of the children were found to be infected with intestinal parasites. Sixty-eight percent of males surveyed and 47% of females had either single or multiple infections. Prevalence was greatest in the five-10-year-old age group. For the total child population surveyed, parasitic infections in order of most to least prevalent were ascariasis (32%); giardiasis (29%); trichuriasis (14%); and hookworm (2%).

A manual-based program of nutrition education for pregnancy and lactation was developed. This program was evaluated in a classroom setting using two measures of effectiveness. A pretest and posttest format was used to assess cognitive outcomes and predietary and postdietary records were used to assess behavioral changes. The difference between cognitive test scores was significant. However, actual dietary improvements were slight and were within the range of normal intake variation. This study emphasizes the need to assess behavior in order to more fully evaluate educational effectiveness. Observations of the study also suggest the desirability of environmental support for the successful translation of classroom knowledge into appropriate behaviors.