Health and Risk Communication

Newspapers are close to putting to rest the myth that the holidays increase the risk of suicide. A new study shows a dramatic drop in articles that – despite having no basis in fact – attribute the arrival of the holiday season with an uptick in suicides. An analysis of newspaper reporting released today by

Card playing for money among college-age youth (18 to 22) has declined, according to the latest National Annenberg Survey of Youth. Weekly use of the Internet for gambling also declined among this age group. Both declines are statistically significant.  “This year’s strong drop in weekly card playing among college-age youth indicates that the fad has

Schools may contribute to reducing adolescent health risks by building “climates of respect,” in which teachers and administrators are responsive to — and value — the feelings and perspectives of students, a new study has concluded. Such climates produce healthier behavior than those that focus exclusively on behavioral control. The results of the study, which

Today’s Philadelphia Inquirer features an op-ed in favor of the adoption of Canadian-style cigarette warning labels in the U.S. Such large, graphic warning labels are more effective, argue Professor Paul Slovic of the University of Oregon and APPC scholars Dan Romer and Kathleen Hall Jamieson, authors of the op-ed. The authors cite their research, published earlier this year in Nicotine & Tobacco Research, suggesting that graphic warnings

A public service announcement that promotes HIV awareness to young African-Americans has been awarded a silver Telly Award – the top award given by the Tellys – in an international competition honoring video productions and commercials. The ad, which sends the message that anyone can be affected and that no one is immune, was produced by MEE Productions Inc. of