Civics and Values Education Curriculum Policies in the United States: A Survey of the States

This article reports the results of a survey conducted in the fall of 1997. The purpose of this study was to survey the extant policies in civics and values education across the 50 United States. The survey addressed three areas concerning civics and values education: curriculum, textbook selection, and teacher licensure. The findings were: One, most states mandate or suggest civics education curriculum and policies while many fewer states have curriculum and policies addressing values education. Two, many states have teacher licensure requirements for civics instruction at the secondary level; however, no teacher licensure policies exist with respect to the instruction of values. Three, states are almost equally divided between the state‐adoption and local‐control methods of textbook adoption. The authors discuss six important trends and issues that emerge from this survey.     

Using focus groups to guide development of a public health Web site

This paper explores a project funded through the National Network of Libraries of Medicine to enhance effective use of the Internet by public health professionals. The processes and outcome of an effort to develop a statewide Web site for public health professionals are described. A series of focus groups was conducted as a preliminary data-gathering tool to evaluate the information needs of the target population. Results of the focus group provided a valuable framework upon which to build a successful schema for Web site development.     

Natural Standard--new integrative medicine database

Natural Standard is a new and extremely easy-to-use database consisting of comprehensive evidence-based medicine monographs, and also news brief's on the subject of complementary/alternative medicine therapies. It does not yet contain a huge amount of material, but it is updated frequently, and new information is continuously added. The focus is on the therapeutic "bottom line" of treatment safety and effectiveness. Dosing, Precautions/Adverse Effects, Pregnancy/Lactation Data, and Interactions information is all clearly displayed along with a "Review of the Evidence" table and a discussion summarizing the overall therapeutic value of the treatment modality.     

Acculturation and psychosocial adjustment of Chinese international students: Examining mediation and moderation effects

This study examined mechanisms through which acculturation influenced psychosocial adjustment of Chinese international students. Specifically, these mechanisms refer to the mediating and moderating effects of social interaction and social connectedness with host nationals upon the acculturation–adjustment linkages. Chinese international students from four universities in Texas responded to a web-based survey (N = 508). Results from regression analyses showed social connectedness with Americans mediated the links between adherence to the host culture (acculturation dimension) and psychosocial adjustment (i.e., depression and sociocultural adjustment difficulties). Social interaction with Americans moderated the association between adherence to the home culture (acculturation dimension) and depression. We discussed implications for theory and health promotion practice, and presented directions for future research.     

Outcomes of an Education and Exercise Program for Adults with Type 2 Diabetes,and Comorbidities that Limit their Mobility: A Preliminary Project Report

Purpose: Some adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have comorbidities and mobility impairments that limit their exercise capacity. In consideration of this, we developed and piloted a program called Active Steps for Diabetes for people with T2DM, comorbidities, and mobility impairments. The purpose of this paper was to report outcomes for the pilot program. Methods: Active Steps for Diabetes, an 8-week program, included instruction on diabetes self-care andgroup and home exercise programs. Twenty-two females (62.7 ± 6.1yrs) with T2DM and self-reported mobility impairments completed the program. Six participants used a walking aid. Outcome measures included two risk factors for coronary artery disease [daily physical activity and body mass index (BMI)], cardiovascular fitness (6-minute walk distance), and knowledge of diabetes-specific exercise guidelines. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare outcomes before and after the program and between participants who did and did not use a walking aid. Results: Active Steps for Diabetes was effective in increasing daily physical activity in both groups of subjects (walking aid group: 2.6 days/week [95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.1 to 3.3]; no walking aid group: 1.9 days/week [95% CI=1.2 to 2.5]). This was accompanied by increases in 6-minute walk distances (walking aid group: 54.0 m [95% CI = 36.4 to 71.6]; no walking aid group: 62.6 m [95% CI=55.7 to 69.4]). Changes in BMI were not significant (walking aid group: −0.4 [95% CI = −1.2 to 0.4]; no walking aid group: −.24[95% CI = −.91 to .44]). Increases in knowledge of diabetes-specific exercise guidelines were observed in both groups (walking aid group: 18.8% [95% CI = 11.3 to 26.4]; no walking aid group: 19.3% [95% CI = 16.1 to 22.5]). Discussion:: Physical inactivity and low cardiovascular fitness are predictors of CAD morbidity and mortality in adults with T2DM. This pilot program suggests that a model for diabetes education, incorporating exercise programs developed by a physical therapist, may increase physical activity, improve endurance, and thereby potentially reduce CAD risk in people with T2DM and mobility impairments from comorbidities.Key Words: type 2 diabetes, physical activity     

社会性别、体育和21世纪第三浪潮女性主义

在法律的支撑下,男女参加体育活动的机会和使用器材设备上的差异正在明显缩小。许多学科和女子体育组织对体育中的社会性别问题十分关注,帮助人们更深刻地认识社会性别构成和体育之间的复杂关系。体育女权主义者为确保女性能参与更多的体育项目、得到更加平等的资助和奖励、得到高水平的教练指导和寻求男女平等的决策发言权而奋斗。变化着的社会环境、经济环境和体育图景使得社会性别和体育史研究能成为一个重要的领域。21世纪流行的第三浪潮女权主义认为20世纪60、70年代出现的第二浪潮女权主义所赖以生存的历史和政治环境已不复存在。她们讨厌‘牺牲品’女性主义的看法和对抗性途径,选择全球性视角,接受多元性。