نبذة مختصرة : The national Bridges to Healthy Communities project of the American Association of Community College's (AACC) helps provide education and information programs to prevent HIV infection and other serious health problems in youth and students. In 1996 and 2000, AACC conducted national surveys concerning administration and leadership, curricular and co-curricular programs, health services, and community collaboration. Results of the first survey are described in a 1998 publication, Community Colleges Tackle Student Health and HIV/AIDS. This research brief summarizes the findings of the 2000 survey which included most of the 1996 survey questions as well as more detail about community college health centers and services. Findings include: (1) Alcohol and other drugs, disability awareness, sexual assault, and multiculturalism/diversity are the campus health concerns most frequently mentioned in written college policies; (2) Twenty percent of responding campuses had an HIV/AIDS task force or similar advisory committee; (3) The number of responding community colleges offering faculty and staff development in HIV/AIDS-related issues declined from an average of 75 percent in 1996 to an average of 56 percent in 2000; (4) Alcohol and other drugs, multiculturalism and diversity, and stress management continue to be the most frequently addressed health concerns in classes and presentations. Offerings on communicable diseases, exercise and fitness, and nutrition are secondary concerns; (5) The percentage of responding colleges offering service learning opportunities in HIV/AIDS, alcohol/drugs, and human sexuality increased from 1996 to 2000. Ninety percent of responding colleges did not offer a specific HIV/AIDS course; (6) Among responding campuses, 41 percent targeted persons engaging in high-risk behaviors for health-related activities through events, promotional materials, and services. Between 20 and 30 percent targeted populations that are disproportionately affected by HIV infection, including African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, men who have sex with men, youth, and women; (7) Forty-two percent of responding colleges had health centers on campus; and (8) HIV testing was available to students on 15 percent of the responding campuses; 58 percent with this service tested fewer than 50 students in one year. The percentage of responding colleges offering sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing increased from 17 percent in 1996 to 27 percent in 2000. The report concludes that, as institutions that serve students, parents, recent immigrants, and a broad spectrum of the members of our society, community colleges are uniquely positioned to influence the way the nation responds to health issues. If community colleges can create environments that support health and deliver relevant information and skills-building activities to students and staff, they have the potential to improve public health. (Contains 15 figures.) [This publication was supported under Cooperative Agreement 95032 (award number 87/CCU312252-05) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the project and do not necessarily represent the official views of CDC.]
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