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We examined whether social resources from the family and the community moderate the risk associated with low socioeconomic status (SES) for reduced quality of life (QL) among youth across racial/ethnic groups. Data were from 4,824 fifth-grade youth (age [Formula: see text] = 11.1, SD = 0.6; 49% females) in the Healthy Passages™ study (2004-2006) located in Birmingham, Alabama; Los Angeles County, California; and Houston, Texas. Youth reported their QL using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Version 4.0 and the Global Self-Worth subscale of the Self-Perception Profile and their status for hypothesized protective social mechanisms. Overall, family cohesion, parental nurturance, other adult, and peer support were positively associated with QL across racial/ethnic groups. There were few significant interactions, but all suggested that higher SES youth benefited more than lower SES youth. In fact, family cohesion among African American youth and other adult support among Hispanic youth differentiated QL at higher, but not lower SES. Further research should examine other risk contexts and seek to inform targeted prevention efforts.

PurposeThis study examined the association between gender role orientation (GRO) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in youth, and how this relationship may differ between males and females as well as among African-American, White, and Hispanic individuals. GRO has been reported to influence serious health outcomes including cancer, heart disease, mental illness, and mortality rates. However, few studies have examined the link between GRO and health outcomes for children, even though gender identity is formed in childhood.MethodsData were examined from 4824 participants in the Healthy Passages™ project, a population-based survey of fifth-grade children in three US metropolitan areas. Children reported their own HRQOL using the PedsQL and degree of female, male, and androgynous GRO using the Children's Sex Role Inventory.ResultsBased on structural equations analysis, male GRO was positively associated with HRQOL for all racial/ethnic groups, regardless of sex, whereas female GRO was associated with better HRQOL for Hispanic and White females and poorer HRQOL for Hispanic males. Androgynous GRO was associated with better HRQOL among Hispanic and White females, but not males nor African-Americans of either sex.ConclusionsRacial/ethnic differences emerged for female and androgynous, but not male, GROs. Hispanic males are the only group for which GRO (female) was associated with poorer HRQOL. Future research should find ways to help youth overcome negative effects on health from gender beliefs and behavior patterns with sensitivity to racial/ethnic membership.

The School Health Education Profiles monitor characteristics of health education in secondary schools nationwide, using school-based surveys conducted by state and local education agencies. This report summarizes results from 35 state surveys and 13 local surveys conducted among representative samples of school principals and lead health education teachers in 1996. Most states and cities required health education in grades 6-12, and most taught a separate health education course. The median percentage of schools that tried to increase student knowledge on certain topics was less than 72 percent for each topic. The median percentage of schools that tried to improve certain student skills was greater than 69 percent for each skill. The median percentage of schools that had health educators coordinate health education was 33 percent across states and 26.8 percent across cities. Most schools taught HIV education during required health education courses. Over half had written policies on HIV infection among students and staff. A median of 41.0 percent of schools across states and 25.8 percent across cities had a lead health educator with professional preparation in health and physical education. Across states, the median percentage of schools whose lead health educator had received inservice training on specific topics ranged from 15.6-51.4 percent. Of schools that received parental feedback, most reported receiving positive feedback. Thirteen tables comprise the bulk of this article. (Contains 11 references.) (SM)

Research among adults has demonstrated concurrent and prospective negative associations between TV viewing and mental health, yet little research has examined these associations among African American and Latino youth or examined the role of children's involvement with TV and parental mediation of TV viewing via coviewing. The purpose of the present study is to examine associations between TV viewing, perceived similarity, and coviewing and mental well-being in African American, Latino, and White children. Results from Healthy Passages™, a study of 4,824 African American (30%), Latino (47%), and White (23%) fifth graders, indicated that TV viewing and perceived similarity were negatively associated with mental well-being among most groups of children, and coviewing was positively associated with mental well-being among Latinos. This study extends findings from adult research on media exposure and mental well-being into a diverse sample of fifth graders and illuminates the role of perceived similarity and coviewing.

This study used data from 3 sites to examine the invariance and psychometric characteristics of the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 across Black, Hispanic, and White mothers of 5th graders (N = 4,711; M = 38.07 years of age, SD = 7.16). Internal consistencies were satisfactory for all subscale scores of the instrument regardless of ethnic group membership. Mean and covariance structures analysis indicated that the hypothesized 3-factor structure of the instrument was not robust across ethnic groups. It provided a reasonable approximation to the data for Black and White women but not for Hispanic women. Tests for differential item functioning (DIF) were therefore conducted for only Black and White women. Analyses revealed no more than trivial instances of nonuniform DIF but more substantial evidence of uniform DIF for 3 of the 18 items. After having established partial strong factorial invariance of the instrument, latent factor means were found to be significantly higher for Black than for White women on all 3 subscales (somatization, depression, anxiety). In conclusion, the instrument may be used for mean comparisons between Black and White women. (Contains 2 footnotes and 4 tables.)

Examined national Youth Risk Behavior Survey data and state and local surveys of high school students to investigate behaviors contributing to unintentional injuries, violence, substance use, age at initiation of risk behaviors, substance abuse on school property, sexual behaviors contributing to pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, dietary behaviors, and physical activity. High numbers of adolescents nationwide practiced behaviors that placed them at risk for serious acute and chronic health problems. (SM)

Presents findings from the School Health Policies and Programs Study 2000 about state- and district-level policies and school-level programs and services related to the following faculty and staff health promotion issues: required health examinations and screenings, other health screenings, services and programs, coordination and collaboration, and planning objectives. (SM)

The 1998 National Alternative High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey measured health risk behaviors at alternative high schools. Many alternative students engaged in behaviors that made them high-risk for serious problems (e.g., motor vehicle safety, violence, nutrition, sexuality, exercise, and substance abuse). Their prevalence of high risk behaviors was significantly higher than the prevalence among regular high school students. (SM)

Summarizes results from 1999 national school-based surveys and trends during 1991-99 in selected youth risk behaviors as well as 33 state and 16 local school-based surveys. Prevalence of several injury-related behaviors and sexual behaviors have improved. Current smoking rates may be declining. Certain risk behaviors are more common among particular subpopulations of students. (SM)

Surveys on the collaborative experiences of colleges, state-level organizations, and school districts related to comprehensive school health programs (CHSP) in 12 states found four collaborative outcomes (training, consultation, research, and networking) and five dimensions of collaboration (interpersonal and organizational interactions, level of awareness and understanding of CHSP, organizational priorities and reward systems, political forces, and availability/sharing of resources). (Author/SM)

Describes results from a qualitative analysis of responses from classroom-, school-, district-, and state-level educators and administrators to questions about K-12 school health education. Results highlighted six themes: value of health education in school curricula; qualifications of and opportunities for educators; programs, curricula, and experiential learning opportunities; assessment, evaluation, and accountability; resources and support; and communication and collaboration. (SM)

Determined the prevalence of health-risk behaviors among Texas high school students attending dropout prevention/recovery alternative schools. Student surveys indicated that a substantial number participated in behaviors that placed them at acute or chronic health risk. There were differences in prevalence of risk behaviors by gender, race/ethnicity, and age. Students frequently engaged in multiple risk behaviors. (SM)

Summarizes results from the 1997 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System and trends from 1991 to 1997 in selected risk behaviors. Results indicate that many high school students still practice behaviors that place them at risk for serious health problems, with some behaviors more likely among particular subgroups. Some behaviors vary considerably from city to city and state to state. (SM)

Objectives. We describe the lifetime prevalence and associated health-related concerns of family homelessness among fifth-grade students. Methods. We used a population-based, cross-sectional survey of 5147 fifth-grade students in 3 US cities to analyze parent-reported measures of family homelessness, child health status, health care access and use, and emotional, developmental, and behavioral health and child-reported measures of health-related quality of life and exposure to violence. Results. Seven percent of parents reported that they and their child had experienced homelessness (i.e., staying in shelters, cars, or on the street). Black children and children in the poorest families had the highest prevalence of homelessness (11%). In adjusted analyses, most general health measures were similar for children who had and had not been homeless. Children who had ever experienced homelessness were more likely to have an emotional, behavioral, or developmental problem (odds ratio [OR] = 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1, 2.6; P = .01), to have received mental health care (OR = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.6, 3.2; P < .001), and to have witnessed serious violence with a knife (OR = 1.6; 95% CI = 1.1, 2.3; P = .007) than were children who were never homeless. Conclusions. Family homelessness affects a substantial minority of fifth-grade children and may have an impact on their emotional, developmental, and behavioral health. (doi:10.2105/AJPH.2008.147785)

Objectives. We sought to describe the prevalence, characteristics, and mental health problems of children who experience perceived racial/ethnic discrimination. Methods. We analyzed cross-sectional data from a study of 5147 fifth-grade students and their parents from public schools in 3 US metropolitan areas. We used multivariate logistic regression (overall and stratified by race/ethnicity) to examine the associations of sociodemographic factors and mental health problems with perceived racial/ethnic discrimination. Results. Fifteen percent of children reported perceived racial/ethnic discrimination, with 80% reporting that discrimination occurred at school. A greater percentage of Black (20%), Hispanic (15%), and other (16%) children reported perceived racial/ethnic discrimination compared with White (7%) children. Children who reported perceived racial/ethnic discrimination were more likely to have symptoms of each of the 4 mental health conditions included in the analysis: depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and conduct disorder. An association between perceived racial/ ethnic discrimination and depressive symptoms was found for Black, Hispanic, and other children but not for White children. Conclusions. Perceived racial/ethnic discrimination is not an uncommon experience among fifth-grade students and may be associated with a variety of mental health disorders. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2008.144329)

Objectives. We investigated the association between physical and social neighborhood environments and fifth-grade students' physical activity and obesity. Methods. We collected data on 650 children and their primary caregivers during phase 1 of Healthy Passages, a multisite, community-based, cross-sectional study of health risk behaviors and health outcomes in children. We conducted independent systematic neighborhood observations to measure neighborhood physical characteristics, and we analyzed survey data on social processes. We modeled children's physical activity and obesity status with structural equation models that included latent variables for the physical and social environments. Results. After we controlled for children's sociodemographic factors, we found that a favorable social environment was positively associated with several measures of physical activity and that physical activity was negatively associated with obesity in these children. Physical environment was not significantly associated with physical activity. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that neighborhood social factors as well as the physical environment should be considered in the development of health policy and interventions to reduce childhood obesity. (Am J Public Health. 2009; 99:271-278. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2007.128702)

In the United States, 70.8% of all deaths among youth and young adults aged 10-24 years result from only four causes: motor-vehicle crashes (32.3%), other unintentional injuries (11.7%), homicide (15.1%), [...]

This article examines the possible influences on anger expression and blood pressure in teenagers, including potential influences such as growth, body composition, and sexual maturity. Results show that blood pressure and anger expression are unrelated; however, body mass is often associated with unhealthy forms of anger expression.

Cultural, social and intrapersonal factors linked to tobacco, alcohol and illicit drug use in students attending dropout prevention/recovery high schools, were identified. The study reveals that health education and health promotion programs for students attending such schools are important and should include prevention of initiation as well as treatment.

Japan: Perspectives in School Health The school health system in Japan was established under national legislation and has a tradition beginning in the late 19th century. Its main components are [...]