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Two field studies using 1,004 'lost letters' were designed to test the hypotheses that returned responses would be greater in small towns than from a city, that addressees' affiliation with a group either (1) opposed to physical education in schools, (2) supporting gay and lesbian teachers, or (3) advocating Creationism or Darwinism would reduce the return rate. Of 504 letters 'lost' in Study A, 163 (32.3%) were returned in the mail from residents of southeast Louisiana and indicated across 3 addressees and 2 sizes of community, addressees' affiliations were not associated with returned responses. Community size and addressees' affiliations were associated with significantly different rates of return in the city. Return rates from sites within a city were lower when letters were addressed to an organization which opposed (teaching) health education in the schools than to one supporting daily health education. Of 500 letters 'lost' in Study B, 95 (19.0%) were returned from residents of northwest Florida and indicated across 5 addressees and 2 sizes of community, addressees' affiliations were significantly associated with returned responses overall (5 addressees) and in small towns (control, Creationism, Darwinism addressees), but not with community size. Community size and addressees' affiliations were associated with significantly different rates of return in small towns, with returns greater than or equal to those in the city (except for the addressee advocating teaching Darwinism in public schools). The present findings appear to show that applications of the lost letter technique to other divisive social issues are useful in assessing public opinion.

Data from national studies of alcohol and other drug use show alcohol continues to be the most popular drug among youth, and prevalence rates for alcohol use remain high.[1,2] Recent [...], This study explored stages of alcohol acquisition and risk factors associated with stages based on the Multi-Component Motivational Stages model. Two hundred fifty-four sixth-eighth grade students from an urban school completed a confidential questionnaire. Most students were in a precontemplation stage (86%), preparation stage 6%), or action stage (5%) for alcohol use. Significant differences were found across stage status on 11 of 22 risk factors. Discriminant analysis results indicated alcohol use, perceived prevalence of alcohol consumption, and intentions to drink in the future successfully discriminated youth in action and preparation stages from those in precontemplation and contemplation stages. Meanwhile, tobacco use discriminated students in preparation and action stages. Multiple regression analysis showed alcohol use was the most powerful predictor of acquisition stage status, followed by intentions, influenceability, and perceived severity of alcohol use. Implications for school-aged youth alcohol use prevention are discussed. (J Sch Health. 1995; 65(7):254-259)

An analysis of letters distributed in cities and smaller rural communities in north and south Florida (ns=400 and 448) showed return rates among several addressees were slightly but significantly correlated (rs=.10 and .10) so very small interpoll agreement is present.

Examines the use of the lost letter technique in assessing public opinion on issues concerning creationism, sex education and homosexual relationships in Florida. Establishment of a lost letter technique of Milgram; Advantages of the lost letter technique on public opinion survey; Importance of the technique in various divisive social issues.

Current guidelines of the Adult Treatment Panel on High-Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (HDL-C) emphasize the protective effect of HDL-C in reducing one's risk for coronary heart disease and recommend that individuals with serum HDL-C levels below 35 mg/dL utilize hygienic means to raise them. A cross-sectional study was performed to examine the relationship of the hygienic factors obesity (measured by percent body fat and body mass index), smoking, and aerobic exercise to HDL-C. The sample, consisting of 1701 male employees of a large aerospace hardware assembly plant, were evaluated by health risk appraisal and anthropometric measurement. Regression analysis revealed a significant negative relationship between body mass index, percent body fat, age, smoking and the level of HDL-C in the blood. Alcohol consumption was directly related to HDL-C, and Whites had a lower HDL-C than all other races combined. Aerobic exercise was not found to be significantly related to HDL-C. A model (multiple R2 = .1136) consisting of age, race, alcohol consumption, smoking, and body mass index fit the data well. These findings justify weight management and smoking cessation interventions for raising HDL-C. However, the role of aerobic exercise was not supported in this study as a means of raising HDL-C. Future studies should use maximum oxygen consumption as a measure of aerobic capacity, which may be a better indicator of aerobic exercise level. The role of medication and genetic and dietary factors in HDL-C management should also be explored. Although findings from this study support smoking cessation and weight management interventions, longitudinal research is needed to determine the most effective strategy for HDL-C management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]