Sexual health promotion and Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) are influenced by interrelated social and cultural factors, particularly in a rural setting. This paper reports on findings from interviews with young people when asked about experiences and perspectives accessing RSE and sexual health services in a small rural Australian…

Background: The disparity in rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), HIV/AIDS, and unplanned pregnancy between Alaska Native (AN) and non-AN populations, particularly among young adults and females, is significant and concerning. Focus groups were conducted to better understand the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of rural Alaska youth…

Context: All youth, especially those with serious emotional disturbances (SED), face challenges as they transition to adulthood. Little is known about rural youth at risk for transition problems. Purpose: To examine transition-age youth who use publicly funded services in rural and urban/suburban locations in Tennessee in order to describe youth…

This article is based on interviews carried out in rural communities in Canada and Wales with health care workers, educators, administrators and policymakers. The focus of the interviews was on assessing the perceived needs and available services for rural youth, either within their schools or within the immediate community. Various problems and…

In an attempt to meet the special challenge of reaching rural youth, the Montachusett Opportunity Council's Family Planning Program (MOC-FP) has been operating a demonstration project that provides sex education and family planning services to adolescents in the rural areas of central Massachusetts. This article explains the program. (Author)

THE HISTORY, CLIENTELE, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND NEEDS OF THE STATE CRIPPLED CHILDREN'S SERVICE ARE DESCRIBED. THE AGENCY, DESIGNED TO HELP WITH MEDICAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND SOCIAL PROBLEMS OF CRIPPLED CHILDREN, TRIES SIMULTANEOUSLY TO AID THE CHILDREN IN REDUCING THEIR HANDICAPS, IN ADVANCING EDUCATIONALLY DURING PHYSICAL REHABILITATION, AND IN…

SEVERAL WRITERS HAVE DEPICTED AGRICULTURAL MIGRANTS AS BEING ONE OF THE MOST DEPRIVED GROUPS IN OUR COUNTRY. HOWEVER, THE NON-MIGRANT AGRICULTURAL WORKERS, WHO FAR OUTNUMBER THE MIGRANTS, ALSO LIVE IN EXTREMELY POOR CIRCUMSTANCES AND ARE VIRTUALLY UNNOTICED BECAUSE THEY DO NOT DRAW ATTENTION THROUGH MIGRATION. BOTH OF THESE GROUPS ARE IN DIRE NEED…

WEST VIRGINIA IS A RURAL STATE HAVING A LARGE POVERTY STRICKEN POPULATION. SINCE THIS GROUP HAD NO ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH SPONSORED A VISTA PROGRAM IN MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL RETARDATION, AND ENCOURAGED THE VOLUNTEERS TO USE THEIR OWN CREATIVITY AND INGENUITY IN PROVIDING SUCH SERVICES AS--(1)…

The primary purpose of this directory is to identify for the grant-seeker some of the major national, regional, and local foundations that fund programs benefitting rural people. Included is an overview of other sources of private sector assistance such as churches and businesses that should also be considered. Several aids are provided to…

This report examines alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use in rural parts of Indiana, as well as public and private initiatives to reduce these problems. The report is based on epidemiological, health, and criminal justice indicators; focus groups; and in-depth interviews with local officials, researchers, service providers, and civic leaders.…

THE YOUTH OF RURAL AMERICA ARE NOT AFFORDED EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, ARE ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED, EXPERIENCE INADEQUATE MEDICAL SERVICES, AND FAIL IN GENERAL TO REALIZE THE ADVANTAGES OF THEIR CITY COUNTERPARTS. THESE CONDITIONS FACING RURAL YOUTH ARE NOT CONFINED TO ANY SINGLE AREA OF THE COUNTRY, BUT ARE WIDESPREAD ENOUGH THAT THEY…

The Illinois Rural Life Panel, a sample of approximately 2,000 residents living in Illinois' 76 nonmetropolitan counties, is surveyed annually about various issues. The 1993 survey results are reported in four brief summaries. In the first summary, which discusses health care, panelists indicated dissatisfaction with the current health-care…

This report is part one of three volumes to be published by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) in response to the request of members of Congress to review the physical, emotional, and behavioral health status of contemporary U.S. adolescents, including adolescents in groups who might be more likely to be in special need of health-related…

SINCE 1900, RURAL AMERICA HAS EXPERIENCED AN AIMLESS TRANSITION. PRIOR TO THAT DATE, A WELL ESTABLISHED PATTERN HAD EVOLVED WHICH INCLUDED THE DIVISION OF THE LAND AREA INTO FAMILY FARM UNITS AND TOWNS, WITH SMALL CITIES EMERGING AS TRADE AND SERVICE CENTERS FOR THE FARM POPULATION. DURING THIS PERIOD OF TRANSITION, HOWEVER, CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE…

A collection of papers by educators and health and social services practitioners comprises this reader on human services in rural areas. Part one, "An Overview of Contextual Differences between Urban and Rural Human Service Practice," also includes a paper on how to maintain confidentiality in a rural environment. The "Services to Youth" papers…