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Objectives. We compared the influence of awareness of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study and the presidential apology for that study on the willingness of Blacks, non-Hispanic Whites, and Hispanics to participate in biomedical research. Methods. The Tuskegee Legacy Project Questionnaire was administered to 1133 adults in 4 US cities. This 60-item questionnaire addressed issues related to the recruitment of minorities into biomedical studies. Results. Adjusted multivariate analysis showed that, compared with Whites, Blacks were nearly 4 times as likely to have heard of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, more than twice as likely to have correctly named Clinton as the president who made the apology, and 2 to 3 times more likely to have been willing to participate in biomedical studies despite having heard about the Tuskegee Syphilis Study (odds ratio [OR] = 2.9; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.4, 6.2) or the presidential apology (OR = 2.3; 95% CI = 1.4, 3.9). Conclusions. These marked differences likely reflect the cultural reality in the Black community, which has been accustomed to increased risks in many activities. For Whites, this type of information may have been more shocking and at odds with their expectations and, thus, led to a stronger negative impact.

Objectives. We compared the influence of awareness of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study and the presidential apology for that study on the willingness of Blacks, non-Hispanic Whites, and Hispanics to participate in biomedical research. Methods. The Tuskegee Legacy Project Questionnaire was administered to 1133 adults in 4 US cities. This 60-item questionnaire addressed issues related to the recruitment of minorities into biomedical studies. Results. Adjusted multivariate analysis showed that, compared with Whites, Blacks were nearly 4 times as likely to have heard of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, more than twice as likely to have correctly named Clinton as the president who made the apology, and 2 to 3 times more likely to have been willing to participate in biomedical studies despite having heard about the Tuskegee Syphilis Study (odds ratio [OR] = 2.9; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.4, 6.2) or the presidential apology (OR = 2.3; 95% CI = 1.4, 3.9). Conclusions. These marked differences likely reflect the cultural reality in the Black community, which has been accustomed to increased risks in many activities. For Whites, this type of information may have been more shocking and at odds with their expectations and, thus, led to a stronger negative impact. (Am J Public Health. 2008;98:1137-1142. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2006.100131) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with some practical implications of the present research, some gaps in the current research, and some future directions for social research in fluoridation. The articles reported are a beginning of research on why fluoridation referenda have succeeded and why they have failed. They document certain occurrences, and suggest hypotheses for further study. Unfortunately for the practitioner, these reports do not yet present any clear answer on how to win a referendum. While future research will undoubtedly continue to emphasize understanding rather than action, there seems reason to be optimistic that help for the practitioner will be one of the eventual by-products.

Using standard personal messages within an urban ghetto, an attempt was made to: (1) change women's beliefs in vulnerability to cervical cancer and in the effectiveness of cytology, and (2) persuade them to visit a cytological clinic. More women with higher post-belief scores made visits than their counterparts. The experimental message was more successful than the control in eliciting clinic visits. Though the experimental message did not change beliefs more than the control message, more experimental subjects high in post-beliefs came to the clinic than (1) experimental or control subjects low in post-beliefs, or (2) control subjects high in post-beliefs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research indicates that boys' cigarette use has declined nationwide, but the total tobacco use of boys may actually have remained high because of substantial use of smokeless tobacco (snuff). A random sample of boys and girls in grades 7 to 12 from 59 Connecticut towns was surveyed about. Although girls smoked more cigarettes per day, boys' total daily tobacco use was higher than that of girls in grades 7 through 9, and only slightly lower in grades 10 through 12.

Inner-city and suburban students' dental experiences, current practices, beliefs, and compliance with two school-based preventive programs were examined. Striking differences were found in the students' dental experiences, practices, and beliefs, but few in their compliance. These findings challenge the notion that inner-city students are poor compliers and suggest ways in which practitioners and public health officials might utilize the differing practices of these populations to plan preventive programs for adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor in response to the article "Breast Self-Examination: An Adjuvant to Early Cancer Detection," by P. Cole and H. Austin, in the 1981 issue of the "American Journal of Public Health" is presented.

This article is intended to provide a relatively complete picture of how a pilot study--conceived and initiated within an NIDCR-funded RRCMOH--matured into a solid line of investigation within that center and "with legs" into a fully funded study within the next generation of NIDCR centers on this topic of health disparities, the Centers for Research to Reduce Oral Health Disparities. It highlights the natural opportunity that these centers provide for multicenter. cross-disciplinary research and for research career pipelining for college and dental school students; with a focus, in this case, on minority students. Futhermore, this series of events demonstrates the rich potential that these types of research centers have to contribute in ways that far exceed the scientific outcomes that form their core. In this instance, the NMOHRC played a central--and critical, if unanticipated--role in contributing to two events of national significance, namely the presidential apology to the African American community for the research abuses of the USPHS--Tuskegee syphilis study and the establishment of the National Center for Bioethics in Research and Health Care at Tuskegee University. Research Centers supported by the NIH are fully intended to create a vortex of scientific activity that goes well beyond the direct scientific aims of the studies initially funded within those centers. The maxim is that the whole should be greater than the sum of its initial constituent studies or parts. We believe that NMOHRC did indeed achieve that maxim--even extending "the whole" to include broad societal impact. well beyond the scope of important, but mere, scientific outcomes--all within the concept and appropriate functions of a scientific NIH-funded research center.