Underage Drinking - A report from the inspector general

Article Abstract:

More students are starting to drink at younger ages. The latest report shows an average age of 13 years while other studies state age 12. Almost one-third drink alone and 41% drink when they feel upset, dispelling the theory that teens and children drink because of peer pressure. More than one third did not know the effects of alcohol abuse, did not know the relative strengths of different alcoholic beverages or the legal age to purchase alcohol. Nondrinking young people learned about alcohol from more reliable sources such as school and family, whereas drinkers learned from such unreliable sources as word-of-mouth from friends, family members or others. Parental disapproval stopped many teens. Teens thought lack of concern was permission to drink. Parents controlled the amount, frequency or location for 35% Of students who did drink. Physicians should join with parents, educators, clergy and health officials as well as community leaders to keep alcohol advertisers in check and to develop prevention campaigns and offer alternatives to drinking for teens.

Analysis, Column, Study and teaching, Health education, Alcohol and youth, Juvenile drinking

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Tobacco control

Article Abstract:

Ten challenges are faced by the US Public Health Service in the development of an effective plan for tobacco control. The tobacco industry has targeted women, children and minority groups in its advertising campaigns. An effective strategy to reduce tobacco use could save millions of lives. Physicians need to unite against the tobacco industry and speak out against their attempts to seduce women and children. Laws should be passed that make it more difficult to sell tobacco to minors. The price of tobacco products should be raised to discourage their use, and they should also be heavily taxed. The public should be educated about the hazards of environmental tobacco smoke. It should also be educated about the dangers of of smokeless tobacco. Physicians should try change society's attitudes and become personally involved in the fight against tobacco use.

Laws, regulations and rules, Prevention, Tobacco industry, Tobacco habit

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Increasing organ donation -- a report from the surgeon general's workshop

Article Abstract:

The Office of the Surgeon General held a workshop in July, 1991 to develop strategies for increasing organ donations. The recommendations of the participants include developing bilingual donor cards, eliminating the term 'brain death', establishing a link between local coroners or medical examiners and those charged with organ procurement and eliminating financial disincentives to live organ donation.

Conferences, meetings and seminars, Donation of organs, tissues, etc., Tissue donation

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