Discusses hearing loss resulting from everyday noise. Recent research suggests that noise-induced hearing loss among school-aged children and teens is more severe than parents and teachers realize. Suggestions about what parents and teachers can do about excessive noise are presented. (SM)

The National Playground Safety Institute believes it is essential to develop and administer a national voluntary certification program for playground safety inspectors. Certified individuals would routinely receive new information and instruction in new procedures. The paper discusses who should receive such certification and how they would be…

Estimated the number of Brazilian children under 14 whose mothers are HIV-positive, living with AIDS, or dead due to AIDS. Found that of the 210,150 children, 17,600 were HIV-positive Findings underscore the urgent need for new programs to increase the longevity of persons with AIDS and to decrease the likelihood of child displacement and severe…

Explores pediatric and child psychiatric research covering five areas of potential biological and social risk to infants and children in orphanage care, specifically, infectious morbidity, nutrition, growth, cognitive and socioaffective development, and physical and sexual abuse. Results showed that institutionalization in early childhood…

Asserts that children have the ability to control their caloric intake when they are permitted to follow their internal hunger cues. Recognizes the great variability of opinions concerning food intake and the important role teachers play. Advises serving a variety of foods and encouraging outdoor physical activity to avoid childhood obesity. (SD)

Describes past and present federal programs to prevent hunger, poor nutrition, and poor health. Presents evidence suggesting a link between nutrition and cognitive functioning, later ability to earn a living, and mortality. Maintains that nutrition is a vital component of any welfare reform and economic development strategy. Presents evidence of…

Discusses changes in pediatric knowledge and practice necessary to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century. Considers the importance of the "new morbidity" training for pediatricians to include advocacy, public health, adolescence, health promotion, parenting and family dynamics, health and social inequalities, and social…

Challenges the message of "biopsychiatry," the belief that all mental illness is biologically based, genetic in origin, and incurable, and can only be treated chemically. Suggests that the epidemic drugging of school-age children is an act of despair. Highlights one family's experience in getting appropriate treatment without medication for their…

This 1958 paper examines how former and current school health programs differ (e.g., school nurses moved from simply treating minor injuries and communicable diseases to working cooperatively with physicians and school staff to develop policies and procedures, and health education moved from simple anatomy and physiology to broader personal and…

This framework sets forth detailed proposals that are crucial to eliminating the epidemic of childhood lead poisoning in the United States. Private housing units can and must be made lead-safe, and this framework is designed to achieve that goal through specific requirements for property owners, a workable schedule, and mechanisms that reinforce…

This report discusses the health care needs of and benefits for women, children, and adolescents in light of national health care reform proposals put forth in 1994, and is based on presentations and discussions at an invitational workshop on maternal and child health. The report asserts that since women and children are disproportionately…

This article discusses the involvement of the National PTA in bringing about comprehensive school health programs in three areas: health education, health services, and school safety. A synopsis is included of selected resolutions related to school health issues that have been adopted by the National PTA. (IAH)

Health professionals now understand that child and adolescent depression constitutes a major public health problem. Children's depressive symptoms can be subtle and varied. Adolescent diagnosis is complicated by behavioral manifestations related to hormonal changes. Etiology and treatment remain controversial. Recent pharmacotherapeutic…

Highlights issues facing teachers who have mentally ill students in their classes and ways for teachers to address the issues. Discusses in-school interventions, out-of-school treatment, and the role of the teacher as mediator in helping students relate to other mentally ill students and in offering support to parents. (MAB)

In recent years, child prostitution has dramatically increased. Associations for the protection of children in many European and Asian countries are calling for an international campaign against child sexual exploitation. The program targets the practice of sexual tourism, and it has been successful so far. (SM)