Harvard U. Study Shows Large Increase for Both Binge Drinkers and Teetotalers
By Pamela Appea
Substance Abuse Funding News, Alcohol
November 28, 2000
Copyright 2000 by Community Development Publications
The incidence of student alcohol abuse on college campuses has gotten worse—not better—nationwide. A team of Harvard School of Public Health researchers find the number of students who report binge drinking, along with the number of those who abstain from drinking alcohol, has increased.
The study found two out of five students say there were binge drinkers.
Binge drinking, a term coined by Henry Wechsler, a Harvard U. alcohol abuse expert, is the consumption of five or more drinks in a row for men and four or more for women.
Around 19% of students in the survey said they abstain from drinking alcohol altogether, while 23% of students say they are frequent binge drinkers.
Wechsler says many college campuses have previously discussed ways to decrease college drinking, yet most are unable effectively to decrease the incidence of binge drinking.
The team say there are no “magic solutions” when considering the implementation of prevention programs for college students. But they encourage college administrations to highlight education and prevention campaigns so problems on college campuses associated with alcohol abuse, including date rape and harassment; property damage; self-injury; and verbal harassment, can be minimized.
Prevention recommendations include:
Examining alcohol marketing at college campuses
Drinking history of college students
Providing alcohol-free social and recreational events on campus
Enacting control policies and making sure to enforce them
Heavy binge drinkers will not change unless “forced” to do so, the report says. Students who do not believe they have a drinking problem may respond to a “three strikes and you’re out” punishment approach, it says.
Info: Wechsler, Department of Health & Social Behavior, Harvard School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115, http://www.hsph.harvard.edu
Tuesday, November 28, 2000
Monday, November 20, 2000
Report: Record 71,000 Schools Now Serve Low-Income Children Breakfast, Aid for Education Report
Report: Record 71,000 Schools Now Serve Low-Income Children Breakfast
By Pamela Appea
Aid for Education Report, Early Childhood Education
November 20, 2000
Copyright 2000 by Community Development Publications
The Food Research & Action Center’s annual school breakfast scorecard said the average number of low-income children served daily by the School Breakfast Program rose to 6.3 million students in 2000—almost double the 3.4 million participating kids in 1990.
But the group says a “service gap” leaves over 2 million children without a chance to eat school breakfasts nationwide. In some cases, millions of federal dollars allocated for each state does not get used for school breakfast programs, the group says.
The Food Research & Action Center charges 32 states for “falling behind” by undeserving at least 10,000 eligible children, with California and New York leading the pack—more than 292, 000 and 229,000 children respectively, are not getting school breakfast each day. In the analysis, the study categorizes free and reduced-price breakfasts together.
Congress temporarily established the School Breakfast Program in 1966 nationwide, giving it permanent authorization in 1975.
Info: Food Research & Action Center, 202/986-2200. ww.frac.org.
By Pamela Appea
Aid for Education Report, Early Childhood Education
November 20, 2000
Copyright 2000 by Community Development Publications
The Food Research & Action Center’s annual school breakfast scorecard said the average number of low-income children served daily by the School Breakfast Program rose to 6.3 million students in 2000—almost double the 3.4 million participating kids in 1990.
But the group says a “service gap” leaves over 2 million children without a chance to eat school breakfasts nationwide. In some cases, millions of federal dollars allocated for each state does not get used for school breakfast programs, the group says.
The Food Research & Action Center charges 32 states for “falling behind” by undeserving at least 10,000 eligible children, with California and New York leading the pack—more than 292, 000 and 229,000 children respectively, are not getting school breakfast each day. In the analysis, the study categorizes free and reduced-price breakfasts together.
Congress temporarily established the School Breakfast Program in 1966 nationwide, giving it permanent authorization in 1975.
Info: Food Research & Action Center, 202/986-2200. ww.frac.org.
Tuesday, November 14, 2000
Research Findings Hold Key to Treatment, Prevention for Women Addicts, Substance Abuse Funding News
Research Findings Hold Key to Treatment, Prevention for Women Addicts
By Pamela Appea
Substance Abuse Funding News, Treatment
November 14, 2000
Copyright 2000 by Community Development Publications
Researchers agree, in the future, gender-specific drug and tobacco prevention programs can be implemented to better impact abuse and addiction problems.
Gender matters in drug abuse, says Cora Lee Wetherington, chair of the National Institute of Drug Abuse’s Women and Gender Research group at a Society for Women’s Health Research Conference.
Scott Lukas, with Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital, studied chronic cocain addicts and found doing a woman’s luteal phase they may experience “very few” cocaine effects when the drug is sniffed.
The luteal phase is a stage of the menstrual cycle, lasting about two weeks, from ovulation to the beginning of the next menstrual flow.
Gender differences disappear when cocaine is administered intravenously, Lukas says. This and similar research could have profound effects for cocaine abuse dependence and eventual treatment, Lukas says.
The treatment approach has to be vastly different than the one currently in place, says Alan Leshner of the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
It’s a myth women don’t abuse drugs, Leshner says. While the prevalence of drug use and addiction has “historically” been lower for women, Leshner says if someone offers drugs to a woman they are just as likely to use them and just as likely to become addicted.
Leshner cites a study on cocaine abusers, stating women are more likely to relapse because of negative events in their lives, while men are more likely to relapse due to a positive event or happening.
He adds typical drug treatment programs stress “confrontational” techniques and sequestering the patient from their family, sometimes for months at a time.
Women addicts often fear losing custody of their children, Leshner says. Further Leshner suggests a “non-punitive” drug treatment program that (on a case-by-case basis) aims to facilitate the “maternal” role, helping mothers keep frequent contact with their children.
“This is not rocket science,” Leshner says.
“This focus on the maternal role is a critical part of drug treatment.”
Info: Society for Women’s Health Research, 202/955-6922; http://www.womens-health.org/.
By Pamela Appea
Substance Abuse Funding News, Treatment
November 14, 2000
Copyright 2000 by Community Development Publications
Researchers agree, in the future, gender-specific drug and tobacco prevention programs can be implemented to better impact abuse and addiction problems.
Gender matters in drug abuse, says Cora Lee Wetherington, chair of the National Institute of Drug Abuse’s Women and Gender Research group at a Society for Women’s Health Research Conference.
Scott Lukas, with Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital, studied chronic cocain addicts and found doing a woman’s luteal phase they may experience “very few” cocaine effects when the drug is sniffed.
The luteal phase is a stage of the menstrual cycle, lasting about two weeks, from ovulation to the beginning of the next menstrual flow.
Gender differences disappear when cocaine is administered intravenously, Lukas says. This and similar research could have profound effects for cocaine abuse dependence and eventual treatment, Lukas says.
The treatment approach has to be vastly different than the one currently in place, says Alan Leshner of the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
It’s a myth women don’t abuse drugs, Leshner says. While the prevalence of drug use and addiction has “historically” been lower for women, Leshner says if someone offers drugs to a woman they are just as likely to use them and just as likely to become addicted.
Leshner cites a study on cocaine abusers, stating women are more likely to relapse because of negative events in their lives, while men are more likely to relapse due to a positive event or happening.
He adds typical drug treatment programs stress “confrontational” techniques and sequestering the patient from their family, sometimes for months at a time.
Women addicts often fear losing custody of their children, Leshner says. Further Leshner suggests a “non-punitive” drug treatment program that (on a case-by-case basis) aims to facilitate the “maternal” role, helping mothers keep frequent contact with their children.
“This is not rocket science,” Leshner says.
“This focus on the maternal role is a critical part of drug treatment.”
Info: Society for Women’s Health Research, 202/955-6922; http://www.womens-health.org/.
Friday, November 10, 2000
Teens Unlikely to be Tested for HIV, Mothers’ Transmission Rate Drops, Community Health Funding Report
Teens Unlikely to be Tested for HIV, Mothers’ Transmission Rate Drops
By Pamela Appea
Community Health Funding Report
HIV/AIDS
Mother-to-child HIV transmission drops from 25% to 3% in the United States, but pregnant teens are more likely than other expectant mothers to forgo prenatal care and consequently are unlikely to test for HIV, says a prominent researcher.
During pregnancy, AZT drug treatment significantly reduces the risk the mother will pass on the virus to her child before, during or after childbirth, says Dr. Lynne Mofenson of the Nat’l Institute of Child Health & Human Development. She drafted the Nat’l Institute of Health guidelines for AZT.
Among adolescents newly diagnosed with HIV, 64% are girls and most [of] them acquire the infection heterosexually, Mofenson said. The rate of infection is slightly higher among black teens, she adds.
Among slightly older females, the risks also are significant. By ages 20-24, women are 44% of the “newly infected.”
Studies show drug treatment can help even women who receive treatment in the last stages of pregnancy. Mofenson says a new study suggests a month of prenatal AZT, followed by taking the drug during labor, cuts the chance the infant will develop HIV/AIDS.
Info: http://www.nichd.nih.gov
Originally Published September November 10, 2000
Copyright 2000 by Community Development Publications
By Pamela Appea
Community Health Funding Report
HIV/AIDS
Mother-to-child HIV transmission drops from 25% to 3% in the United States, but pregnant teens are more likely than other expectant mothers to forgo prenatal care and consequently are unlikely to test for HIV, says a prominent researcher.
During pregnancy, AZT drug treatment significantly reduces the risk the mother will pass on the virus to her child before, during or after childbirth, says Dr. Lynne Mofenson of the Nat’l Institute of Child Health & Human Development. She drafted the Nat’l Institute of Health guidelines for AZT.
Among adolescents newly diagnosed with HIV, 64% are girls and most [of] them acquire the infection heterosexually, Mofenson said. The rate of infection is slightly higher among black teens, she adds.
Among slightly older females, the risks also are significant. By ages 20-24, women are 44% of the “newly infected.”
Studies show drug treatment can help even women who receive treatment in the last stages of pregnancy. Mofenson says a new study suggests a month of prenatal AZT, followed by taking the drug during labor, cuts the chance the infant will develop HIV/AIDS.
Info: http://www.nichd.nih.gov
Originally Published September November 10, 2000
Copyright 2000 by Community Development Publications
CDC Says Using Nonoxynol-9 Unsafe, Community Health Funding report
CDC Says Using Nonoxynol-9 Unsafe
By Pamela Appea
Community Health Funding Report
HIV/AIDS
Condoms with Nonoxynol-9 are not an “effective means of HIV prevention,” as the scientific community previously had believed, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention warns health workers.
In a strongly worded, “Dear Colleague” letter, Dr. Helene Gayle, a CDC official writes:
“Anyone using N-9 as a microbicide to protect themselves from HIV transmission during anal intercourse should be informed of the ineffectiveness of this agent and warned of the potential of this practice.”
Lubricated condoms and sexual lubricants containing Nonoxynol-9 “might not” result in a 50% higher rate of HIV infection—as suggested by a study of black women completed earlier this year—but CDC officials were uncertain the deterrent was effective.
Info: CDC, http://www.cdc.gov
Originally Published September November 10, 2000
Copyright 2000 by Community Development Publications
By Pamela Appea
Community Health Funding Report
HIV/AIDS
Condoms with Nonoxynol-9 are not an “effective means of HIV prevention,” as the scientific community previously had believed, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention warns health workers.
In a strongly worded, “Dear Colleague” letter, Dr. Helene Gayle, a CDC official writes:
“Anyone using N-9 as a microbicide to protect themselves from HIV transmission during anal intercourse should be informed of the ineffectiveness of this agent and warned of the potential of this practice.”
Lubricated condoms and sexual lubricants containing Nonoxynol-9 “might not” result in a 50% higher rate of HIV infection—as suggested by a study of black women completed earlier this year—but CDC officials were uncertain the deterrent was effective.
Info: CDC, http://www.cdc.gov
Originally Published September November 10, 2000
Copyright 2000 by Community Development Publications
Monday, November 06, 2000
Nonprofit Group Aims to Give Children A Better Chance: Choice for Schools, Aid for Education Report
Nonprofit Group Aims to Give Children A Better Chance: Choice for Schools
By Pamela Appea
Aid for Education Report, Nonprofit News
November 6, 2000
Copyright 2000 by Community Development Publications
The Campaign for America’s Children wants to put parents in charge of their children’s education and reform the U.S. school system by breaking the school monopoly.
Competition will help improve the U.S. school system, says Theodore Forstmann, the group’s chairman and CEO.
The group argues federal, state and local governments control almost 90% of American education, making it “one of the largest and most successful monopolies in our history.” And the campaign links the school monopoly with poor test scores and academic achievement in grades K-12.
As part of a recent “freedom and choice” campaign, one of the campaign’s full-page newspaper ads says, “Eighty years of rising spending. Eighty years of disappointing results. The problem isn’t our kids, our teachers, or parents. It’s the system.”
The campaign for America’s Children plans to fund studies where learning education scholars will host seminars and debates on education issues with the goal of raising awareness on school-choice issues.
Demand for an alternative to poor schooling is staggering, the group says. Roughly 1.25 million children applied for 40,000 Children’s Scholarship Fund—a private New York City-based foundation—partial scholarships in 1999.
Further, Forstmann, who runs the foundation, awarded $160 million in scholarships through the Children’s Scholarship Fund to 40,000 children in 48 states.
Private schools are not “necessarily” more expensive, the campaign says. While the public schools spend an average of $7,000 per student, per year, the average private school spends almost 40% less per student, or $4,700 per year.
The organization has no specific agenda, a spokesman for the group tells AFE. The goal is to awaken people to the issue of school choice and to have them look at choice with a more open mind, he says.
Info: Campaign for America’s Children, 767 Fifth Ave. N.Y. N.Y. 10153; 212/752-3310.
By Pamela Appea
Aid for Education Report, Nonprofit News
November 6, 2000
Copyright 2000 by Community Development Publications
The Campaign for America’s Children wants to put parents in charge of their children’s education and reform the U.S. school system by breaking the school monopoly.
Competition will help improve the U.S. school system, says Theodore Forstmann, the group’s chairman and CEO.
The group argues federal, state and local governments control almost 90% of American education, making it “one of the largest and most successful monopolies in our history.” And the campaign links the school monopoly with poor test scores and academic achievement in grades K-12.
As part of a recent “freedom and choice” campaign, one of the campaign’s full-page newspaper ads says, “Eighty years of rising spending. Eighty years of disappointing results. The problem isn’t our kids, our teachers, or parents. It’s the system.”
The campaign for America’s Children plans to fund studies where learning education scholars will host seminars and debates on education issues with the goal of raising awareness on school-choice issues.
Demand for an alternative to poor schooling is staggering, the group says. Roughly 1.25 million children applied for 40,000 Children’s Scholarship Fund—a private New York City-based foundation—partial scholarships in 1999.
Further, Forstmann, who runs the foundation, awarded $160 million in scholarships through the Children’s Scholarship Fund to 40,000 children in 48 states.
Private schools are not “necessarily” more expensive, the campaign says. While the public schools spend an average of $7,000 per student, per year, the average private school spends almost 40% less per student, or $4,700 per year.
The organization has no specific agenda, a spokesman for the group tells AFE. The goal is to awaken people to the issue of school choice and to have them look at choice with a more open mind, he says.
Info: Campaign for America’s Children, 767 Fifth Ave. N.Y. N.Y. 10153; 212/752-3310.
Wednesday, November 01, 2000
Public Housing Assisted-Living Facility Provides Elderly With Care, Homes
Public Housing Assisted-Living Facility Provides Elderly With Care, Homes
Housing the Elderly Report
Community Development News
By Pamela Appea
The Miami-Dade Housing Agency says it has saved money and helped meet a community need with the nation’s first assisted-living facility in public housing.
The Helen Sawyer Plaza opened its doors in August and has won two national awards. The 104-unit facility runs with state-sponsored Medicaid waivers to provide a continuum of care for facility residents.
Public-housing groups are eligible for rent subsidies to defray the cost of providing high-quality facilities to low-income frail seniors, MDHA says.
Agency director Rene Rodriguez says the Miami-Dade community has a tremendous need to meet the “deteriorating” mental and physical condition of seniors who live in public housing.
That need is rapidly growing, particularly in urban areas across the United States. A 1995 HUD report found 1 million very low-income elderly renters lived in either substandard housing or paid more than half their income in rent. Florida has 13% of seniors who live below the poverty line and more than half of elderly renters pay 30% of their income for housing.
Miami-Dade has the nation’s sixth-largest public-housing authority, with more than 5,000 seniors. Providing assisted living is cost-effective, since federal and state governments spend four times as much to care for an elderly nursing-home resident than for an assisted-living facility resident, Rodriguez says.
To qualify, residents need to be Medicaid-eligible and have access to case management. They should also require minimum assistance to live independently.
Formerly known as Highland Park, the Helen Sawyer Plaza was built originally to house frail elderly and the handicapped in the mid-’70s. The Miami-Dade Housing Agency started conversion of the Helen Sawyer Plaza in 1997 as a joint project with HUD and the state of Florida.
HUD programs currently do not cater to the elderly, the Miami-Date Housing Agency report says, leaving low-income seniors with few options to live independently.
Info: Miami-Dade Housing Agency, 1401 NW 7th Street, Miami, FL 33125.
Originally published November 2000
Housing the Elderly Report
Community Development News
By Pamela Appea
The Miami-Dade Housing Agency says it has saved money and helped meet a community need with the nation’s first assisted-living facility in public housing.
The Helen Sawyer Plaza opened its doors in August and has won two national awards. The 104-unit facility runs with state-sponsored Medicaid waivers to provide a continuum of care for facility residents.
Public-housing groups are eligible for rent subsidies to defray the cost of providing high-quality facilities to low-income frail seniors, MDHA says.
Agency director Rene Rodriguez says the Miami-Dade community has a tremendous need to meet the “deteriorating” mental and physical condition of seniors who live in public housing.
That need is rapidly growing, particularly in urban areas across the United States. A 1995 HUD report found 1 million very low-income elderly renters lived in either substandard housing or paid more than half their income in rent. Florida has 13% of seniors who live below the poverty line and more than half of elderly renters pay 30% of their income for housing.
Miami-Dade has the nation’s sixth-largest public-housing authority, with more than 5,000 seniors. Providing assisted living is cost-effective, since federal and state governments spend four times as much to care for an elderly nursing-home resident than for an assisted-living facility resident, Rodriguez says.
To qualify, residents need to be Medicaid-eligible and have access to case management. They should also require minimum assistance to live independently.
Formerly known as Highland Park, the Helen Sawyer Plaza was built originally to house frail elderly and the handicapped in the mid-’70s. The Miami-Dade Housing Agency started conversion of the Helen Sawyer Plaza in 1997 as a joint project with HUD and the state of Florida.
HUD programs currently do not cater to the elderly, the Miami-Date Housing Agency report says, leaving low-income seniors with few options to live independently.
Info: Miami-Dade Housing Agency, 1401 NW 7th Street, Miami, FL 33125.
Originally published November 2000
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)