Health values最新文献

A sample of rural and urban women was interviewed using a questionnaire based on Fishbein's and Ajzen's Theory of Reasoned Action. Two hundred women were asked about their intentions to use safety-belts and to encourage others to use safety-belts. Both intent and nonintent women highly valued saving lives, feeling safer, and reducing the likelihood of injuries, but they differed markedly in their beliefs that using safety-belts would necessarily save life, enhance their feeling of safety, and reduce the likelihood of injuries. Intent and nonintent users differed least in their beliefs that safety-belts would reduce injuries. Women who intended to use their safety-belts felt their action would encourage others to use belts and believed that they should encourage others to use their safety-belts. These intent safety-belt users did not see a strong social support for encouraging others to use safety belts and therefore were unlikely to do so. Programs to promote safety-belt use would capture the generally supportive attitudes of women if they could assist women to develop skills and confidence to express effectively their existing predisposition for safety-belt use.

The recent call for comprehensive drug education programs has provided a multitude of opportunities for health education specialists. Unfortunately, not all drug education programs are effective. Because of their lack of effectiveness, there is a need for comprehensive evaluation of existing programs. In order to conduct high quality evaluations, valid data collection procedures must be used. Probably the most common method of collecting data in drug use studies is the self-report questionnaire. One method of establishing the validity of these questionnaires is through urinalysis-based concurrent validity studies. Despite results similar to laboratory tests, investigators may have increased confidence in the results obtained from their questionnaires.

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of participation in the Wellness--Paths to Health Physical Fitness Program on selected physiological and personal health variables including blood pressure, pulse, body weight, trunk flexibility, cardiovascular endurance, abdominal strength, percent body fat and a cumulative fitness score. The subjects (N = 129) of this study were divided into four levels of adherence to this exercise-based health program. Data analysis examined relationships between adherence levels and changes in the selected physiological and personal health variables across two measures. In addition, data from high-risk participants were analyzed. The results of the study found statistical significant changes in the selected variables between repeated assessment measures. In addition, statistically significant relationships were found between levels of adherence to the program and six of the dependent variables.

Despite changes and improvements in the delivery of dental-care in the United States, almost half the population is "by current standards of dental practice, a medically underserved population." The impact of fluoridation has reduced the incidence and resultant prevalence of dental caries, and insurance and alternative payment systems have helped to improve access to dental care for many Americans, but a large underserved population has not reaped the full benefits of these positive developments. This paper analyzes some major inequities of dental-care delivery in the United States and proposes some policy solutions.

This article reports the results of formative research on worksite benefit managers' preferences for smoking cessation programs. Procedures focused on application of a multi-attribute preference evaluation method known as conjoint analysis. Literature reviews, small-sample telephone interviews, and a focus group were used to guide selection of cessation program attributes for this analysis. Personnel benefit managers representing a variety of worksites (N = 103) across the U.S. were then randomly selected for participation in the study. Results suggested that cost per employee, program management options, success rates, and endorsements were associated with relatively higher utility values, as compared with attributes concerning program materials or content (e.g., emphasis on cessation preparation vs. maintenance techniques). Benefit manager response simulations indicated a low-cost program with flexible delivery options received the strongest overall response of the six types of programs tested. Results also suggested there were preference differences associated with the type of worksite. Implications of these results for future study are briefly discussed.

The purpose of this study was to assess the attitudes of university-based health educators on the role of health fairs. Ninety-nine health educators from throughout the country completed a three-part survey requesting information regarding local health fairs, demographics of the respondent, and a series of Likert-type questions regarding the role and function of health fairs. Results indicate that one's level of training and level of involvement played a significant role in determining attitudes regarding the purpose of health fairs. Health educators with doctoral training, when compared to individuals with master's-level training, were less likely to approve of health fairs.

This review examines factors associated with, issues related to, and suggestions for increasing participation in workplace health promotion programs. The purpose is to help health professionals better understand why people participate and how program planners can effect participation. The lack of results and contradictory findings of some studies emphasize the complex nature of participation. Studies have shown that participants are likely to be young with high education and income. Preliminary studies have also shown a relationship between participation and some behavioral and psychosocial variables, although these studies have yet to be confirmed. The participation issues of self-selection and comprehensiveness are discussed. Suggestions for increasing participation are offered.

Critical review of studies published in the area of worksite health promotion is an important skill for health promotion professionals. Most studies have some weaknesses which make it difficult to draw meaningful conclusions. Therefore, it is important to consider the research design of these studies. By accurately evaluating the conclusions of health promotion investigations, health promotion professionals will be able to make better recommendations for effective program development.

Data from a corporate-wide (N = 21, 325) health risk appraisal were analyzed for interrelationships between health variables. Findings supported the lifestyle system hypothesis. Employees generally had a consistent pattern of health practices influencing how overall physical health was reported. Implications are discussed regarding the incorporation of lifestyle system principles in employee health and assistance programs.

Health promotion efforts in Japan are progressing much as they are in the United States. However, as Japan has different health problems and a different business culture, health promotion efforts in Japan differ from those in the United States. This paper will examine the major causes of death in Japan, prevalent lifestyle problems, cultural differences, types of health promotion programs which are offered, and program effectiveness. By making comparisons between two culturally different countries health promotion professionals will be able to understand their own programs better and develop new ideas for future programming efforts.