Physical activity, physical fitness, and health: time to act

Article Abstract:

Today there is increasing evidence that physical activity and physical fitness contribute to good health. Physical activity has been associated with decreased risk of heart disease, colon cancer, stroke, and hypertension. Management of diabetes, depression and obesity can be supported by exercise. A study by Blair et al., which appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association, showed evidence that physical fitness reduced the death rate from all causes. Fewer than ten percent of American adults meet the recommended criteria for exercise proposed by the Centers for Disease Control for the 1990 objectives for the nation. Schools, health professionals, volunteer groups, public health agencies and others encourage people to become more physically active. Schools can provide children with a time, a place and a program for regular exercise. School health education programs can present physical activity within the context of a healthy life. Unfortunately, few schools have comprehensive health education programs from kindergarten through high school; this problem should be addressed. Health professionals themselves can set an example for their patients, and include exercise in their protocols for disease prevention and management. Blair's finding, that even a moderate improvement in fitness in people who are otherwise unfit provides a significant health benefit, should stimulate such individuals to change their physical activity patterns. Physicians have the opportunity to be physical fitness role models to their patients, in much the way they were when they gave up smoking.

Research, Physiological aspects, Physical fitness, Health risk assessment, Preventive medicine, Medicine, Preventive, editorial

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School-associated violent deaths in the United States, 1992 to 1994

Article Abstract:

The number of school-associated deaths appears to be higher than originally estimated. Researchers used newspaper clipping services and online newspaper databases to identify 105 deaths of elementary and secondary school students that occurred at 101 schools in 25 states between July, 1992 and June, 1994. Additional data were provided by local police, medical examiners and school officials. Twenty of the deaths (19%) were suicides. Forty-three percent occurred during an activity sponsored by the school. However, only 29% occurred inside the school building, indicating that metal detectors and security cameras may have little effect on reducing student violence. Sixty percent of the deaths occurred in urban schools and 77% involved firearms. Most of the firearms used were handguns and many were automatic or semiautomatic. One-third of the incidents involved personal disputes and 31% were gang-related. Most of the victims were younger than 20, 83% were male and almost half were non-Hispanic blacks. Twenty-one percent had a criminal background.

Patient outcomes, Mortality, Statistics, Students, Homicide

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Impact of Changes in Transportation and Commuting Behaviors During the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta on Air Quality and Childhood Asthma

Article Abstract:

Minimizing traffic in many areas can reduce air pollution and decrease the rate of asthma attacks in children, according to a study of Atlanta during the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. City officials used many methods to minimize traffic congestion during the games, including closing the downtown area to private automobiles, adding 1,000 park-and-ride buses, and promoting alternative work hours and telecommuting.

Prevention, Asthma in children, Childhood asthma, Traffic engineering, Air pollution, Olympics, 1996 AD

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