This article presents the major issues, trends, interpretations, and difficulties facing Primary Health Care (PHC) personnel in taking the drastic steps required to reform the health care system. The author argues that PHC aims to enable people to take responsibility for their own health and further the redistribution of resources. (SSH)

This report by a Dutch national committee addresses the definition of dyslexia; characteristic symptoms; consequences of the proposed definition for identification and treatment; appropriate methods of treatment; involvement of various professionals (e.g., neuropsychologist, remedial teacher, speech and language therapist, and neurologist); and…

Presents the results of a study examining the health of Russian youth from the 1930s to the present. Although overall health has improved from the nadir of World War II, several disturbing trends have developed in post-Soviet society. Changing socioeconomic conditions have resulted in fatigue and poor diet. (MJP)

Complex community health promotion programs are being held accountable for their effectiveness, but rural public health departments lack staff and expertise to carry out evaluations. In Kentucky, a university evaluation expert trains local public health staff in technical skills for program evaluation and provides ongoing mentoring and technical…

Provides an overview of the current state of health services in rural America and examines policy changes being made through Congressional action. Presents suggestions for further research and legislative actions. Discusses the role that individual psychologists can play in improving mental health services in rural areas. (MW)

Provides a model reflective inquiry strategy to educate students about the controversy surrounding the proposed ban on tobacco advertising. Presents a 15-day lesson sequence which explores implications for clashes between individual rights and state power, and includes a list of resources for classroom use. (LS)

Presents three surveys conducted at the University of Puerto Rico concerning college students' AIDS knowledge and their sexual and preventive behaviors. Findings show students had knowledge of how HIV is transmitted, but they also harbored misconceptions about ways the disease can spread. These misconceptions coupled with the machismo attitude…

A review of research on prevention of alcohol abuse among American Indians found that they experience many alcohol-related health problems. Indians have earlier age of first involvement with alcohol, more frequent drinking, and more negative consequences than non-Indians. Prevention programs must consider American Indian heterogeneity and cultural…

Examines cultural factors associated with pregnancy among Hispanic adolescents, highlighting policy areas within the health care delivery system that must be addressed. The paper discusses migratory patterns and service needs, acculturation and pregnancy, valuing of children, access to health services, the role of the health practitioner, and…

PATCH (Planned Approach to Community Health), a cooperative program of technical assistance from the Centers for Disease Control, strengthens state and local health departments' capacities to plan, implement, and evaluate community-based health promotion activities for priority health problems. The article describes its origin, concepts, and…

Analysis of data from the management systems of San Francisco and Santa Clara counties (California) reveals ethnic differences among 26,708 public mental health service users. Asian Americans and Hispanic Americans used less emergency and inpatient, but more outpatient, care than whites. Blacks used more emergency and less outpatient care. (SLD)

The Department of Community Health and Family Medicine at the University of Florida College of Medicine developed a curriculum component integrating epidemiologic concepts into a third year family medicine clerkship through a small-group project on a specific condition likely to be encountered by primary care physicians in community practice. (MSE)

The experience of the Harvard University School of Public Health with use of cases for promoting faculty discussion of teaching is described. It is concluded that the technique provides a forum for faculty to examine their own perspectives and gain insight from other teachers in the same institutional setting. (MSE)

Discusses the career and contributions of Modjeska Simkins, a black female teacher in South Carolina who became active in public health and civil rights. Throughout her career Simkins used her home in Columbia, South Carolina as an office. That home is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. (MJP)

As there have been few science-based evaluations of secondary prevention programs, the Federal Office of Public Health in Switzerland carried out a national program evaluation at 12 sites in the French- and German-speaking parts of Switzerland to study the question, "What works in secondary prevention?" These 12 centers offer different…