Briefly reviews modes of HIV transmission and course of the disease, then focuses on its effects on children's development and learning. Describes treatments, therapies, and possible educational interventions. Challenges educators to learn more effective methods of helping these children improve their learning potential and quality of life. (EV)

Interviews were conducted with 49 foster parents, teachers, and others who have worked closely with 284 children known to have been exposed to crack or cocaine in the womb. Many of the children exhibited impulsive behavior and inability to understand cause, effect, and consequences. Lists resources. (MLF)

Presents theoretical perspectives on children's health attitudes. Considers the influence of socialization agents, including families, schools, peers, and the media, on children's acquisition of health attitudes and behaviors. Examines implications of research for social policy, research, and modeling of child health attitudes and behavior. (BC)

Describes current living conditions of children in the United States, and argues that few tax dollars are spent on children. Discusses current policy on assisting low-income families with children, and suggests the establishment of national minimums for children in the areas of income support, education, and health care. (MM)

Reviews research on the special characteristics of homeless, unaccompanied youth and innovative recreation programs that currently, or in the future, can serve them. The paper explains who the street children are and examines what recreation opportunities are available to fill in the gaps in the continuum of care for them. (SM)

Notes that neurobehavioral problems from exposure to lead and other toxins can be observed at doses far below those that cause more obvious signs of exposure. Calls for refining tests of cognitive and developmental skills in exposed children, identifying additional contaminants and mechanisms for behavioral effects, and improving dose- repose…

This report tracks federal spending from 1960 to 2006 and uses current policy and some assumptions to project activity through 2017. The report looks at more than 100 major programs that aim to improve children's lives through income security, health care, social services, food and nutritional aid, housing, education, training, and tax credits and…

Every day, school-aged children encounter a wide variety of hazards that occur both outside and inside schools. This document presents findings of a report that examined the scientific data on the risks for student injury and illness in the school environment. The information is designed to help administrators set priorities for reducing risks to…

Provides a rationale for the significance of the study of early feeding and delineates major issues that require investigation. Includes a list of acquisition processes implicated in the development of food acceptance patterns. (RH)

Children with neurological impairments are prone to develop serious infection with anaerobic bacteria. The most common anaerobic infections are decubitus ulcers; gastrostomy site wound infections; pulmonary infections (aspiration pneumonia, lung abscesses, and tracheitis); and chronic suppurative otitis media. The unique microbiology of each of…

Reviews the research on cocaine use and its effect on newborns; examines the popular misconceptions, including the background of children who are exposed; and discusses interventions. The author concludes with a discussion about looking beyond prenatal drug exposure and focusing on the child. Studies looking at these children longitudinally are…

Ethical issues related to rights of children to participate fully in their own mental health treatment decisions are examined. Clarifies concepts of children's rights in relation to legal and psychological aspects, discusses Kitchener's theory and model of moral judgment, and proposes ethical standards for moral reasoning in counseling children.…

Reviewed 32 studies that evaluated the impact of community-based injury prevention efforts on childhood injuries, safety behaviors, and adoption of safety devices. Interventions targeted schools, municipalities, and cities. This approach effectively increased some safety practices (e.g, bicycle helmet and car seat use) but not others. Common…

Reviews current literature on school enrollment-based health insurance programs underway or pending in the United States, focusing on initiatives in Florida, New Hampshire, Arkansas, and Texas and discussing programs in several other states. The paper discusses problems with uninsuredness in the United States and examines innovations in child…

Provides an overview of efforts to change and revitalize physical education programs, needed to counter widespread childhood obesity and teach attitudes and skills for lifetime health and fitness. Lists objectives, recommended program characteristics, and current practices in five northwestern states. Profiles three high school programs that offer…