Suchergebnisse

Most US counties undergoing rapid population increases rely on traditional land-preservation techniques (zoning, direct purchase, development regulations) to control land use and on public meetings to communicate with the public. Yet some of these rapidly growing counties also use tax incentives, conservation easements, and other innovative preservation methods; they also use the mass media to communicate. These innovative counties tend to be more populous, affluent, and located in states with stronger environmental protection programs than counties that rely on traditional techniques.

We surveyed 1196 Black health and political leaders on their perceptions about the US Department of Health and Human Services' Healthy People 2000 public health goals. Respondents identified reducing the incidence of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, improving maternal and infant health, and controlling sexually transmitted diseases as the three most important public health goals for Black Americans that are amenable to intervention. The leaders assigned nearly all responsibility for prevention efforts to the federal government and the individual. With the American health care system now in flux, Black leaders need to organize to see that these priority issues are addressed.

This study investigated the extent to which black public health and political leaders believe that reducing violence should be a national public health priority for black Americans when compared with other public health problems such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, low birthweight, and access to health care. A survey asking whether violence in the black community is amendable to change and who (or what institutions) should be responsible for the reduction of violence was sent to 427 black health leaders, 326 black mayors, and 467 black legislators. Three hundred twenty responses were returned. Virtually all respondents placed violence as one of the top five, if not the highest, public health priority for black Americans. Health and political leaders differed in their beliefs about whether violence and violence-related behaviors can be ameliorated, and who should bear responsibility for the reduction of violence. While this survey had limitations, more than 300 black public health and political leaders indicated that violence among black Americans should be made a national public health priority. Policy implications are discussed, and a proactive role for the National Medical Association is advocated.