In a survey of the state of the art in ergonomics (human factors) as it has been applied to coal mining, approximately 1,200 references in the published literature both foreign and domestic were located. Abstracts of 49 references were prepared on such topics as the effects of environmental stress on health and productivity, accident prevention…

A sample of 120 low-income families receiving food commodities in 3 eastern South Dakota counties provided a socio-demographic overview of family characteristics; tested the Culture of Poverty approach for classifying rural, low-income families; tested the homogeneity among these families; and presented implications for policy-making and program…

The purpose of this book, compiled by high school students in Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School under the guidance of their English teacher, is to present a view of the cultural heritage of Appalachian Georgia residents. Information was gathered by means of tape-recorded interviews with residents, on-site observations, and collection of written…

Although health care has never emerged as a leading issue in the civil rights struggle, there has been a relatively quiet, low key movement over the past ten years to address many of the health issues in the black community. Now, however, the movement is regressing. (Author/AM)

Notes that the forces of exploitation and racism relegate millions of human beings to a developmental cycle characterized by excessive and disproportionate infant mortality, maternal mortality, premature births, hunger and malnutrition, lead poisoning and untreated chronic disabilities. (Author)

Calls for more education as the immediate preventative measure against acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Discusses the known ways that AIDS is transmitted and cautions that many innocent people may also contract the disease. Promotes the presentation of accurate and personally sensitive information to children. (TW)

Mentally retarded institutionalized persons admitted to a California state hospital in 1970 (N=165) and 1980 (N=27) were followed for three years to examine mortality rates and causes. Higher mortality rates in the 1980 group (one-third died within three years) appeared related to the trend toward institutionalization of only the most debilitated.…

"The Challenge", a publication of the US Department of Education's office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools, provides critical information and resources to assist schools in creating safe and healthy environments for young people. This issue addresses the following topics: (1) Prevention Programs with Staying Power: What Makes Good Prevention Programs…

In 1987 a project was undertaken to assess the status of African Americans in the United States in the topical areas to be addressed by the National Research Council's (NRC) Study Committee on the Status of Black Americans: education, employment, income and occupations, political participation and the administration of justice, social and cultural…

Ways in which school facility planners, managers, and others can guard against the potential indoor air quality (IAQ) problems presented by paint are covered in this bulletin. It opens with an overview of paint formulations and the functional quality of different paints, paying special attention to the volatile organic compounds present in some…

Health risk appraisal tools, combined with an undergraduate health education course, appear to assist students in developing positive health behaviors. (CJ)

Athletes with heart symptoms require, in addition to the regular evaluations everyone receives, testing during exercise. History taking should be carefully conducted to properly determine adverse heart conditions. Recommendations are provided for proper diagnosis and handling of athletes with heart symptoms. (GLR)

One of the primary objectives of Colombian social health insurance reform was to increase competition among for-profit insurers. Unfortunately, the flat capitated formula creates an opportunity for sickness funds to maximize reimbursement gains by "cream skimming"--selecting against unhealthy individuals. This paper explores sickness…

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the graying of America's college and university faculty coincided with new federal regulations that prohibited mandatory retirement. So in order to both encourage faculty retirements and assume better control of when positions would be vacated about half of all U.S. colleges and universities adopted various…

Purpose: The burden of prescription drug costs on Medicare beneficiaries has become a critical policy issue in improving the Medicare program, yet few studies have provided detailed and current information on that burden. The present study estimates total and out-of-pocket expenditures for prescription drugs and the burden of these costs in…