Rural America is undergoing rapid and confusing change which impacts on the role of rural health educators and practitioners. Although rural life has been romanticized, rural areas have emergencies and accidents remote from professional assistance, occupational diseases, high infant and maternal mortality rates, and the same high incidence of…

A chronological report of how the school district responded when two students were identified as having been exposed to the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) virus. A summary of the Center for Disease Control guidelines for handling students with AIDS is included. (MLF)

An EPA survey of the largest school districts in the nation revealed that over 50 percent have not inspected for asbestos and two-thirds have failed to notify parents adequately. Seven steps are therefore provided for successful asbestos abatement, in anticipation of tougher regulations now under consideration. (TE)

Noting that too many children with elevated lead levels are not being identified in the United States, this report presents policy guidelines for increasing screening and follow-up care of children who most need these services, and for helping communities pursue the most appropriate approach to preventing childhood lead poisoning. Following an…

This paper provides tips and resources that communities can use to reduce substance abuse and gun violence. The names of national organizations, publications, and community leaders with expertise in funding are included. It describes how Join Together Online, a national resource for communities working to reduce substance abuse and gun violence,…

Proposes incorporating environmental health education into the components of the community education program, including the K-12 program, additional programs for children, activities for adults, delivery and coordination of community services, community services, and use of local facilities. (Author/CS)

Presents guidelines for organizations planning head injury prevention programs for bicyclists. The guidelines examine the magnitude of the problem and potential impact of helmet use, characteristics of helmets, barriers to increasing helmet use, and approaches to increasing helmet use. Bicycle helmet legislation and community educational campaigns…

Injury is the leading health problem of children in the United States, though many of the injuries and deaths are predictable and preventable. The article presents a list of things parents can do to keep their children safe. (SM)

This 1978 paper provides school nurses with a conceptual framework for structuring their practice. In discussing each of the five concepts, the paper presents a definition, a rationale for its inclusion, and examples illustrating its applicability to school nursing practice. The five concepts are: public health, adaptation, helping relationships,…

This digest summarizes available information on the importance of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) prevention education efforts for students with disabilities. The digest notes these students' increased risk of HIV infection due to their lack of knowledge, misinformation, poor social skills, low self-esteem, poor judgement, and tendency to let…

In the nearly 4 years since the initial publication of the model policy "Communicable Diseases and the Enrolled Student" in January 1986, the statistics, recommendations, and even the terminology of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) have changed significantly. In light of the new information, the model policy, recommended for…

Guidelines to prevent the transmission of blood-borne diseases, especially those caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), in the school setting are provided in this resource manual for school staff. Sections include information on the reasons for the development of this manual; a summary of the means of HIV…

A model school policy provides guidelines for Iowa school systems with regard to students with AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), herpes simplex, and cytomegalovirus. The AIDS guidelines include the following: (1) Routine screening students for AIDS associated virus is not recommended. (2) Children infected with the AIDS associated virus,…

This guide provides information to support state and local efforts to fight the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic. The guide is divided into three sections: (1) the need; (2) the challenge: providing effective AIDS prevention education; and (3) developing a comprehensive state leadership role. An extensive bibliography of 66…

This ERIC digest discusses ways of effectively banning smoking in schools so that controversies do not continue after implementation of the policy. By advocating a process approach, the document cites steps taken by the Lake Forest School Board to prohibit smoking in and around school grounds. Step one involved committee planning involving…