Bethann Cinelli

Japan's coming crisis: problems for the honorable elders.

The rapid aging of the Japanese and United States populations represents a major challenge in terms of health care and the quality of life. This article provides a cross-cultural analysis of the status of the elderly in these two countries. Japan currently has almost 13 million people over the age of 65. This number will more than double in the next two decades, making Japan one of the oldest countries in the world. This change offers an opportunity to view the approaches, solutions, and dimensions associated with current and proposed directions for the elderly in the United States, who now number 32 million and will increase to 35 million by the year 2000.

Health Promotion Efforts in Pennsylvania Schools

The purpose of this study was to investigate and describe health promotion efforts within Pennsylvania public schools. A questionnaire was designed which addressed the following areas: demographics, health issues and concerns, health promotion programming, and variables pertinent to describe districts without programs. The sample consisted of 275 superintendents of public school districts, 41 of which indicated the existence of a health promotion program in their district. Superintendents of districts with health promotion programs indicated the following: the most frequently offered programs were physical fitness activities, stress management and weight reduction; programs were most frequently offered during the after school hours; many programs were not open to family and community; and the administration of the programs was most frequently the responsibility of a school administrator. The remaining 234 school districts did not have health promotion programs. The reasons cited by the superintendents included limited financial resources, an uninterested faculty and staff, and lack of school board support.

Families: A Strategy to Clarify Perceptions of Family Life

Abstract The purpose of this teaching strategy is to provide students with an opportunity to develop and express their perceptions and viewpoints about family life in todays society. Through use of cooperative learning groups and the cooperative strategy “word webbing,” students will create a project which depicts diverse cultural and family viewpoints in describing todays families. This teaching strategy is appropriate for elementary, middle, and secondary students and may be incorporated easily into a family life education unit or course.