Reports on a recent study of Chesapeake Bay watermen, which indicates a possible association between long-term exposure of the eyes to ultraviolet B rays and risk of cataract development. Authorities recommend protective lenses for outdoor athletes, especially those involved in winter sports. (SM)

Discusses the scope of the surgeon's involvement in teaching disease prevention and health promotion to medical students, enumerates possible learning objectives, and describes seven examples of programs that have used innovative methods to include prevention teaching in surgery curricula. Examples include the universities of Kentucky, South…

The purpose of this article is to analyze the policy decisions made by the World Health Organization (WHO) in working to fight the spread of the first truly global infectious disease, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), of the 21st century. In particular, the author pays attention to the WHO's Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network…

Curcumin, the pungent yellow spice found in both turmeric and curry powders, blocks a key biological pathway needed for development of melanoma and other cancers, according to a study that appears in the journal Cancer. Researchers from The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center demonstrate how curcumin stops laboratory strains of…

Dental caries and periodontal disease in Mexican American children of the southwestern United States occur mainly in molars, lending strong support for the use of fissure sealants as a preventive procedure. This study also reports on the prevalence of fillings decay and gingivitis in this population. (VM)

A newly discovered treatment for severe pain during menses is described. (JD)

The article proposes a change in medical paradigm from that of curative practice to one emphasizing primary health care (PHC). Discussed are origins and dilemmas of PHC; conflicting PHC values and practices; organizational changes and PHC; health care reform examples from Latin America; and implications for medical education. (DB)

Discusses symptoms, prevention, and treatment of the flu. Also discusses effects of antibiotics on colds. (RJC)

Defines and examines a communication model for enhancing the provision and adoption of preventive practices in the primary care setting and discusses teaching that model in the medical school context. Methods for integrating communication skills for prevention into the medical school curriculum are discussed, using examples from Dartmouth (New…

Describes meningococcal meningitis, which strikes over 100 college students yearly. Living in dormitories puts students at risk for contracting the disease. The current vaccine protects against the four main types of the infection, though it is not perfect protection. Some states have adopted legislation requiring all incoming college freshmen and…

Background: The Coronary Health Improvement Project (CHIP) is designed to lower cardiovascular risk factors among a group of generally healthy individuals through health education. Purpose: This study will evaluate the efficacy of the CHIP intervention at improving eating, sleep, stress, and depressive disorders. Methods: A health education…

Lawmakers are urging the federal government to focus on prevention rather than treatment of disease as a cost-effective public policy. Federal health goals and programs are discussed. Responsibilities of four federal health agencies are summarized. Surveys of health knowledge and a new emphasis on preventing injuries are described. (MT)

While glaucoma generally strikes those over 35 years of age, awareness of glaucoma should be promoted in junior and senior high school and college by incorporating information into a unit on eye health or chronic diseases. (MJB)

Although fetal alcohol syndrome is a preventable disease, it is hard to control because identification of the alcoholic mother is difficult. (MM)

Uses diffusion of innovations theory to contrast three different preventive health interventions (undertaken by the contractual network of the Cancer Information Service) by their innovation attributes. Shows that innovation attributes were rated differentially by organizational members, depending on the nature of the specific intervention,…