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The article emphasizes the importance of changing health behaviors among cancer survivors. The beneficial impact of home-based physical activity programs on cancer survivors is discussed. The self-management program of the Stanford University in Palo Alto, California is tackled. The Surviving Cancer and Thriving program, developed under a collaboration between the University of Hawai'i in Manoa and the Stanford Medical School Patient Education Research Center, is aimed at encouraging cancer survivors to make positive changes in their health behavior.

Health disparities among Native Americans persist despite efforts to translate evidence-based programs from research to practice. Few evidence-based, theory-driven prevention and management interventions have been successfully translated within Native American communities. The use of community-based participatory research (CBPR) has shown promise in this process. This article provides an overview of the use of CBPR with Native American communities and discusses the translation of the Stanford Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, using a CBPR approach, with an urban Native American community. This article highlights not only how the CBPR process facilitates the successful translation of the Stanford program but also how CBPR is used within this community to build community capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective. To test the impact of participation in a peer-based intervention for symptom management for women living with HIV infection on selected outcome measures including, symptom intensity, medication adherence, viral control, and quality of life. Design. Randomized clinical trial. Methods. Participants were recruited using a convenient, consecutive sampling method. Those participants randomized to the experimental condition attended seven, peer-led sessions over seven weeks. Participants randomized to the control condition received a copy of HIV Symptom Management Strategies: A Manual for People Living with HIV/AIDS. Participants completed four surveys assessing change over time in the aforementioned outcome variables. Results. Eighty-nine HIV-infected women followed over 14 weeks and there were no differences between the two groups on baseline demographic variables. Mixed-effects regression indicated no significant difference between groups across time in total symptom intensity score and medication adherence. There was a significant difference between groups across time for two of the nine quality of life scales - HIV Mastery (χ2=25.08; p<0.005) and Disclosure Worries (χ2=24.67; p<0.005). Conclusions. In urban-dwelling women living with HIV/AIDS, results suggest that a peer-based symptom management intervention may not decrease symptom intensity or increase medication adherence. There is positive evidence that suggests that the intervention may increase some important aspects of quality of life. However, further research is warranted to elucidate the effect of peer-based interventions in achieving positive self-management outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes a proposal by students at the School of Dentistry, University of California in San Francisco for a dental care program for homeless people at St. Vincent de Paul's Homeless Shelter. Emphasis on preventive care; Objectives of the project; The three phases of the project; Information about projected costs and fundraising activities.

Not all patients with chronic conditions are able or willing to participate in small-group or Internet self-management programs. Based on the Arthritis Mailed Took Kit Program and the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, a mailed Chronic Disease Self-Management Tool Kit, delivered in a onetime mailing, was developed as an alternative mode of delivery. Kits were mailed to a national sample of 255 participants with varying chronic conditions and evaluated in a longitudinal (6-month) trial. Outcomes reflected the triple aims of health care. At 6 months, participants demonstrated better health care indicators, better health indicators, and less health care utilization. There were significant improvements in two health care indicators and six health indicators and reductions in physician visits. Follow-up response rate was high (85%). There were no significant baseline differences between responders and nonresponders. Subgroup analyses were performed for a number of subgroups, including those with arthritis (58%) and/or depression (43%), and for African Americans (14%). Subgroups demonstrated improvements equal to or better than the overall group. The Mailed Chronic Disease Self-Management Tool Kit represents a third mode, along with small groups and Internet, of delivering self-management patient education, and appears to contribute to meeting the triple aims of health care for those who actively chose this mode of delivery., (© 2015 Society for Public Health Education.)