Terrorist acts and the fear of terrorism have become a part of everyday life in the early 21st century. Among the threats most feared is bioterrorism, including the intentional release of smallpox. With the invasion of Iraq and toppling of the Saddam Hussein regime, acute bioterrorism fears have abated; however, an ongoing threat remains. This…

This report summarizes the latest edition of national guidelines that have been a cornerstone of nutrition policies and programs in Canada for almost 50 years. The guidelines for healthy eating are as follows: enjoy a variety of foods; emphasize cereals, breads, other grain products, vegetables, and fruits; choose low-fat dairy products, lean…

The author argues that the importance of primary health care, with emphasis on preventive aspects of care, requires a socioeconomic and health survey of each community and that the nurse-epidemiologist would be the most effective compiler of such surveys. (MF) Baganda in Uganda was interviewed concerning perceptions of loneliness and social…

Effects of age, education, and gender on acceptance of genetic testing were studied. Finnish participants responded to a questionnaire presenting reasons for and against genetic testing (N=1,967). Intentions to take genetic tests, worries, and experience of genetic test or hereditary disease were also assessed. Results are presented and discussed.…

A survey of 142 U.S. and Canadian medical schools compared medical school curricula since 1991, especially in schools moving to the new interdisciplinary format. Thirty- five schools had retained preventive medicine teaching as a separate course; 25 schools integrated preventive medicine concepts into many courses; and 10 schools appeared to have…

The study examined medical and social services to pregnant women, newborns and their families in 10 European countries and suggested implications for policy and practice in the United States. The 10 countries (Belgium, Denmark, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom) tend…

Reviews the positive effects of patient education, including the physician patient relationship, improvements in health status, and cost effectiveness. The status of hospital libraries in Nigeria is described, and suggestions for the implementation of patient education programs are made. (5 references) (CLB)

Some cultural realities and linguistic considerations are discussed that public health providers can use to make preventive health care delivery more effective and acceptable in several developing countries. The case of the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria is used as an example. Two points are addressed: the question of the usefulness of…

This conference was held to alert physicians worldwide of the mortal peril of nuclear war to public health, with the hope that they will help educate their communities about the effects of nuclear war. Summary papers prepared during the conference include: medical consequences of nuclear war with special reference to Europe--immediate problems for…

This study investigated the feasibility of broadening the traditional infant health focus of the Australian Maternal and Child Health Nurse or Public Health Nurse to encompass maternal emotional and social well-being to identify maternal depression and prevent child abuse. Conditions under which mothers would find this role expansion acceptable…

Breakthroughs in science and social organization could soon be helping to save the lives of half the 40,000 young children who now die every day. They could also prevent several million children a year from becoming mentally or physically disabled. To achieve these goals, local successes showing that a child health revolution is possible must be…

Need exists for an integrated community health system comprised of a unit within the health care delivery system concentrating on behavioral change and coordinating educational influences on the individual, and a second educational unit providing necessary health knowledge and debating and analyzing the whole system of health care provision. (MB)

This unit of the health education curriculum consists of four components, the overview (a brief philosophical statement outlining rationale, goals, objectives and suggested implementation) and grade level guides for grades 5, 7 and 9. The content of the grades 5 and 7 instructional packages is organized around five themes: (1) the importance of…

A description of "barefoot doctors" in the People's Republic of China is presented. These peasant doctors are commune workers who have taken basic courses in medical treatment. Because 80% of the population lives in a rural agricultural setting, and because most doctors and medical services are located in cities, there is a serious need…

An agreement between the College of Nursing at Texas Woman's University and the Peace Corps was negotiated to include two years of Peace Corps service with work leading to a master's or doctoral degree in nursing. A brief description of a student assigned to Banjul, Gambia, is presented. (MLW)