Article 1:

 

Abstract:

Sexually transmitted infections, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), disproportionately affect African American adolescents and young adults. Many of our current strategies and approaches have been inadequate in the promotion of risk reduction among youth and need to be reconceptualized. This article identifies issues that may guide researchers to better address the risks faced by African American youth. Some of these issues include tailoring of intervention messages and programs, timing of intervention delivery, consideration of contextual factors that influence risk behaviors, and increasing the breadth of our intervention focus. Discussions of how these strategies and approaches may enhance intervention effectiveness are highlighted.

 

Questions to consider:

1.  Are there racial and ethnic difference in the rates of STDs? If so, describe these differences.

2.  What are the primary risk behaviors associated with STD transmission?

3.  What are the current approaches to reducing African American Adolescents’ sexual risk-taking behaviors? How should these approaches be revised in order to further reduce these risk-taking behaviors?

 

Article 2;

 

Abstract:

On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, setting in motion a historic and, for many, a long-awaited radical change to the current American health care system. Section 2951 of the PPACA addresses provision and funding of maternal, infant, and early childhood home visiting programs. The purpose of this article is to acquaint the reader with the legislative odyssey of home visitation services to at-risk prenatal and postpartum women and children as delineated in the PPACA and to discuss the nursing practice and research implications of this landmark legislation. Few question the need for more rigorous methodology in all phases of home visitation research. Public health nursing may provide the comprehensive approach to evaluating effective home visitation programs.

 

Questions to consider:

1. What is the primary goal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (PPACA)?

2. What areas does the PPACA address?

3. What benefits does home visitation have for families?  What limitations in home visitation existed before the passage of PPACA and what areas will be improved because of the passage of the PPACA?

 

Article 3:

 

Abstract:

In the United States there is a prevalence of obesity among ethnic groups, especially African American girls. The author in this column examines through an ecological lens selected American federal, state, and city policies and program interventions aimed at reducing obesity. Specifically, the eating behavior of African American girls is discussed as a population subset for which significant gaps are present in current obesity policy and implementation. Policy recommendations should include parents as research has shown a significant relationship in the eating behaviors of African American girls and their parents. Opportunities for nurses in practice and research to test the effectiveness of family and community level policy and program initiatives that address the ecological perspectives of the adolescent environment are discussed.

 

Questions to consider:

1.  Describe the obesity epidemic in the United States among children and youth.

2.  How does public policy address obesity among children and youth in general and ethnic minorities in particular?

3.  What are the key elements for consideration of eating behaviors of early adolescent African American girls? What policy initiatives do you think should the government focus on in order to address the issue of obesity?