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The article presents a position paper from the American Public Health Association relative to the improvement of health care in prisons, jails, and youth detention centers in the U.S. The association backs the recommendation for a federal strategy to help improve health care these centers as structured by the report of General Accounting Office to U.S. Congress. It also supports the Health Services Administration's Prison Health Initiative aimed to assign National Health Service Corps staff to prisons and jails. In addition, the group urges the development of periodic and independent medical audit reviews to check that standards are being met and quality care provided. Other significant decisions of the group are presented.

The article presents the policy statement of the American Public Health Association concerning medically uninsured citizens' health care initiatives of each state in the country. In response to the fact that there is an increasing number of medically uninsured residents in the country and that most states are exerting effort in addressing their needs, the Association agrees in the need for a high quality, universal national health program which has a comprehensive scope, has state and local administration and is equitably financed. It also reorganizes and encourages state health initiatives for the uninsured population.

The article presents the policy statement of the American Public Health Association concerning equitable and full employment. The Association believes that employment has an impact on health and poverty that is why it is urging the country's Department of Health and Human Services to include employment availability in its objectives. It also calls for a public employment and wage maintenance program and encourages researches which focus on public health effect of inadequate wages and unemployment.

The article presents the policy statement of the American Public Health Association concerning occupational diseases and injuries surveillance. The Association believes that surveillance of occupational injuries and diseases is vital to the effectiveness of preventive programs and can increase awareness of both the employee and employer about work-related health problems. It is also convincing the Congress to mandate a reporting system for occupational diseases and calls the attention of concerned federal agencies to develop an occupational injury and disease surveillance system.

The article presents the policy statement of the American Public Health Association concerning health hazards brought by naturally occurring radon. The association believes that radon exposure can cause lung cancer that is why it recommends performance of adequate testing for the determination of areas with high level of naturally occurring radon be done by federal and state governments. It also urges state and local governments to provide information and outreach programs regarding radon exposure as well as financial assistance to those households that need remediation and testing activities.

The article presents the policy statement of the American Public Health Association stating its opposition to the revision of the National Family Planning Program, Title X of the Public Health Service Act, while support for the principle of informed consent. The Association believes that revisions in Title X would promote infertility services but no information or counseling related to abortion will be given to the person entitled for the services provided by the Title X. The Association encourages concerned citizens and groups to oppose the regulation as well as the Congress to have commitment to the principle of informed consent.

The article presents the policy statement of the American Public Health Association concerning state and local departments programs on injury control. In response to the fact that there is an increase in deaths caused by intentional and unintentional injuries and that these incidences cost the country a lot of money, aside from pain, suffering and grief, the Association urges state legislators and governors to establish programs focusing on injury control. It also encourages engineering and medicine-related schools and institutions to expand their training and research programs on injury epidemiology and control.