Risk factors related to the incidence of heart disease are identified as target areas for education programs aimed at children. (JMF)

The current status of the early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment program in the United States is reviewed. (JD)

The criteria most appropriate for assessing school health programs are discussed, and the need for such evaluation in the light of pressure from public opinion is emphasized. (JD)

School health professionals can help reduce the incidence of Toxic Shock Syndrome by suggesting that women not use tampons continuously during menses and that tampons should not be left in place for long periods of time. Tampons should be changed every few hours and used intermittently with pads. (JN)

The lives and contributions of two forerunners of the health education movement are discussed. Sylvester Graham popularized cereals and fruits as a breakfast meal and discouraged eating meats and engaging in sexual activity. John Kellogg was a strict vegetarian whose research included determining the influence of diet on digestion and the effects…

Suggestions for facilitating dental health education programs in public schools include: (1) determining who will be responsible for dental health education; (2) involving parents; (3) using community health resources; and (4) assessing the results of programs. (JN)

It is too often overlooked by health professionals that their main concern should be to establish, teach, and maintain good health practices and habits, and that preventing illness is of first importance. (JD)

A dental health program in an elementary school succeeded in identifying children considered to be "high risk" in oral health and, through treatment and education, significantly improved their dental health. (JD)

Two types of school-based programs that increase students' use of fluoride for preventive dental health are described. In fluoride mouthrinse programs, teachers give their students a fluoride solution once a week in a paper cup. In areas where the level of fluoride in the water supply is insufficient, the flouride tablet program is used. (JN)

In a study done to determine the importance of privacy during scoliosis screening, individual privacy was provided for some children. Results indicated a definite lessening of anxiety for those students screened privately. (JN)

The article discusses the Child Health and Disability Prevention Program in California, which attempts to screen all children for medical problems and provide preventive and maintenance care. (CD)

A position statement is offered that clarifies the function, role, and emphasis of decision making within the field of health education, and a rationale that proposes that health decision-making efforts be limited to areas where evidence links a health behavior (i.e., smoking) to a health problem (i.e., lung cancer) is presented. (Author/CJ)

An experimental curriculum, the Cardiovascular Curriculum Education Project, consisting of a series of independent, self-instructional units focusing on cardiovascular diseases, was developed for a secondary school health curriculum. Study results indicate that the experimental curriculum was successful in improving students' knowledge of…

Disease education is a content area included in most health education curricula. The disease unit assists the student in developing an understanding of specific communicable diseases. Following the unit, students should be able to describe the etiology, process, and treatment of specific diseases. (JN)

A broader utilization of school nurse practitioners by school districts represents a cost-effective approach in meeting educational goals. School nurse practitioners provide extended nursing services to high risk children, assist in coordinating health services between the school and the child's parents, participate in classroom presentations on…