Ralph J. DiClemente – författare

A COMPREHENSIVE NEW REFERENCE WORK ON STRUCTURAL APPROACHES TO PREVENTING HIVStructural interventions -- changes to environment aimed at influencing health behaviors -- are the most universal and cost-effective tool in preventing new incidences of HIV. They are not easy to get right, however. Structural Interventions for HIV Prevention offers an authoritative reference for both understanding these programs and instituting them to greatest effect. Whether through changes to policy, environment, social/community norms, or a combination of each, this volume offers actionable and attainable blueprints to creating and evaluating programs in any setting or country. It is an essential resource for researchers and practitioners in the continuing fights against HIV.

A COMPREHENSIVE NEW REFERENCE WORK ON STRUCTURAL APPROACHES TO PREVENTING HIVStructural interventions -- changes to environment aimed at influencing health behaviors -- are the most universal and cost-effective tool in preventing new incidences of HIV.They are not easy to get right, however. Structural Interventions for HIV Prevention offers an authoritative reference for both understanding these programs and instituting them to greatest effect. Whether through changes to policy, environment, social/community norms, or a combination of each, this volume offers actionable and attainable blueprints to creating and evaluating programs in any setting or country. It is an essential resource for researchers and practitioners in the continuing fights against HIV.

A COMPREHENSIVE NEW REFERENCE WORK ON STRUCTURAL APPROACHES TO PREVENTING HIVStructural interventions -- changes to environment aimed at influencing health behaviors -- are the most universal and cost-effective tool in preventing new incidences of HIV.They are not easy to get right, however. Structural Interventions for HIV Prevention offers an authoritative reference for both understanding these programs and instituting them to greatest effect. Whether through changes to policy, environment, social/community norms, or a combination of each, this volume offers actionable and attainable blueprints to creating and evaluating programs in any setting or country. It is an essential resource for researchers and practitioners in the continuing fights against HIV.

Public health has a legacy of neglect regarding social and behavioral research. Too often, prompted by technical and scientific progress, we have ignored­ even marginalized-the vital "human element" in health thinking and prac­ tice. Thus, for example, while family planning programs focused on providing a choice among safe and effective contraceptive methods (a supremely worthy goal), the central issue of sexuality and sexual behavior was generally neglected. Similarly, the enormous and important efforts to develop rapid and reliable diagnostic and treatment methods for sexually transmitted diseases helped divert attention away from the crucial issues of sexual practice. In short, we seem to have difficulty addressing the fundamental behaviors-including sex, drug taking and other intoxications, and violence-that are central to the major causes of preventable morbidity, disability, and premature mortality in the world today. Our collective reluctance to examine and understand ourselves is also expressed in the oft-repeated pipedream that scientific progress will "take care of" the HIV / AIDS pandemic by delivering a preventive vaccine, an effective cure, or both. Yet even a cursory glance at the relationship between scientific/ technical progress and health shows that meeting the scientific challenges is only one step toward effective application of the vaccine or drug. It is typical, not atypical, that hepatitis B vaccine is only now becoming relatively freely available to large populations in the developing world, more than a decade after the vaccine's licensure.

Adolescence is a developmental period of accelerating physical, psychological, social! cultural, and cognitive development, often characterized by confronting and surmounting a myriad of challenges and establishing a sense of self-identity and autonomy. It is also, unfortunately, a period fraught with many threats to the health and well-being of adoles­ cents and with substantial consequent impairment and disability. Many of the adverse health consequences experienced by adolescents are, to a large extent, the result of their risk behaviors. Many adolescents today, and perhaps an increasing number in the future, are at risk for death, disease, and other adverse health outcomes that are not primarily biomedical in origin. In general, there has been a marked change in the causes of morbidity and mortality among adolescents. Previously, infectious diseases accounted for a dispro­ portionate share of adolescent morbidity and mortality. At present, however, the over­ whelming toll of adolescent morbidity and mortality is the result of lifestyle practices.

Planners seeking to create HIV prevention programmes in developing countries relied on published interventions successfully implemented in the industrialized world. This volume brings together HIV researchers and activists who describe intervention strategies employed primarily in developing countries. With the battle to control HIV continuing, the contributors provide insights from the field as they summarize implementation problems, successes and failures. End-of-chapter summaries and references are key features.

The idea for this volume developed when we were co-teaching our introductory, mas­ ter's-level course in the Department of Health Behavior at the UAB School of Public Health, a core course for all masters of public health students in the school regardless of the department in which they enrolled or the focus of their studies. Hence, in the course we sought to provide both students in our department, as well as those who might not ever again take a health behavior course, with an overview that would both truly represent the field and substantially provide educational, research, and public health practice benefits. This was, and continues to be, a challenge with the diversity of students specializing in fields that include not only health behavior but also bio­ statistics, environmental health sciences, epidemiology, health care organization and policy, international health, and maternal and child health. The course that we taught attempted to provide the students with an overview of some of the important health promotion and disease prevention theories, methods, and policy issues, while re­ viewing applications of these theories and methods to promoting health and pre­ venting disease through a variety of channels, for a variety of disease outcomes, and among a variety of populations. Since no one text provided this variety of readings, we depended on readings and guest lectures.

This handbook is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of the theories, methods and approaches for reducing HIV-associated risk behaviours. The handbook addresses the subject of HIV prevention from two interrelated perspectives. First, it presents the seminal theories currently used to guide the development and implementation of HIV prevention interventions. Second, it describes prevention approaches for diverse populations at risk of HIV infection. This handbook provides a compilation of knowledge on HIV prevention by the leading authorities in the field, and should be an important resource for students, researchers and clinicians in the field.

This volume is designed to motivate and engage scientists, policymakers, and practitioners to greater scientific discourse, reduce the stigma on and validate the importance of women's sexual and reproductive health. It brings together historians, anthropologists, psychologists, sociologists, epidemiologists, public health researchers, genetic counselors, attorneys, social workers, nurses and physicians, and presents comprehensive coverage that will benefit women's health advocates, students, and practitioners.

Globally, action to prevent HIV spread is inadequate. Over 16,000 new infections occur every day. Yet we are not helpless in the face of disaster, as shown by the rich prevention experience analyzed in this valuable new compendium. “Best pr- tice” exists—a set of tried and tested ways of slowing the spread of HIV, of persuading and enabling people to protect themselves and others from the virus. Individually, features of best practice can be found almost everywhere. The tragedy, on a world scale, is that prevention is spotty, not comprehensive; the measures are not being applied on anywhere near the scale needed, or with the right focus or synergy. The national response may concentrate solely on sex workers, for example. Elsewhere, efforts may go into school education for the young, but ignore the risks and vulnerability of men who have sex with men. Action may be patchy geographically. AIDS prevention may not benefit from adequate commitment from all parts and sectors of society, compromising the sustainability of the response. In some countries matters are still worse—there is still hardly any action at all against AIDS and scarcely any effort to make HIV visible. It is no wonder that the epidemic is still emerging and in some places is altogether out of control.

This book covers the developmental and health problems unique to the adolescent period of life. It focuses on special needs and public health programs for adolescents. It offers deep insight into smoking, violence, teen pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, and other problems, along with intervention and prevention strategies. "Anyone serious about improving adolescent health should read this book. It spans theoretical and developmental constructs, summaries of evidence-based interventions for adolescent risk behaviors, metrics, and policy recommendations." —S. Jean Emans, MD, chief, Division of Adolescent Medicine, and Robert Masland Jr., chair, Adolescent Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston, and professor of pediatrics, Harvard Medical School"This is the one single text that students can use to study adolescent health. It includes contributions from many of the world's most accomplished researchers to provide learners with cutting edge information to make the study of adolescence understandable and applicable in practical settings." —Gary L. Hopkins, MD, DrPH, associate research professor and director, Center for Prevention Research, and director, Center for Media Impact Research, Andrews University"This textbook presents an excellent balance in weighing the evidence from the risk and the resilience literature, incorporating research in racially and ethnically diverse populations." —Renée R. Jenkins, MD, FAAP, professor, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Howard University College of Medicine"This is an engaging, thorough, and thought-provoking statement of our knowledge about adolescence. " —Wendy Baldwin, PhD, director, Poverty, Gender, and Youth Program, Population Council

"Here is a 'must-read' for all health promotion researchers and practitioners eager to stay one step ahead of the pack. A panoply of insightful and promising new approaches is presented for consideration and exploration in our contemporary behavioral science arsenal."— M. Elaine Auld, MPH, CHES, Chief Executive Officer, Society for Public Health Education "This book is an essential addition to the health practice and research literature, concentrating on theories that have not been extensively covered elsewhere and that have great currency. It provides an up-to-date rendition on the interplay among contemporary public health concerns, sound public health practice, and the theoretical bases for practice."— Robert M. Goodman, PhD, MPH, Dean and Professor, School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, Indiana University"The authors of Emerging Theories provide vivid descriptions of the state of the science in health promotion and presents an exciting map for future research. Understanding and using theories is the hallmark of an excellent practitioner. Creating and elaborating theories is the mark of an excellent researcher. This text will be very valuable for both."— Noreen M. Clark, PhD, Myron E. Wegman Distinguished University Professor; Director, Center for Managing Chronic Disease, University of Michigan"Emerging Theories captures the dynamic growth in theories of health promotion and illustrates how divergent theoretical perspectives are being integrated into richer explanatory and practice models."— Matthew W. Kreuter, PhD, MPH, Professor of Social Work and Medicine; Director, Health Communication Research Laboratory, Washington University in St. Louis

This book covers the developmental and health problems unique to the adolescent period of life. It focuses on special needs and public health programs for adolescents. It offers deep insight into smoking, violence, teen pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, and other problems, along with intervention and prevention strategies.

"Anyone serious about improving adolescent health should read this book. It spans theoretical and developmental constructs, summaries of evidence-based interventions for adolescent risk behaviors, metrics, and policy recommendations." —S. Jean Emans, MD, chief, Division of Adolescent Medicine, and Robert Masland Jr., chair, Adolescent Medicine, Children''s Hospital Boston, and professor of pediatrics, Harvard Medical School

"This is the one single text that students can use to study adolescent health. It includes contributions from many of the world''s most accomplished researchers to provide learners with cutting edge information to make the study of adolescence understandable and applicable in practical settings." —Gary L. Hopkins, MD, DrPH, associate research professor and director, Center for Prevention Research, and director, Center for Media Impact Research, Andrews University

"This textbook presents an excellent balance in weighing the evidence from the risk and the resilience literature, incorporating research in racially and ethnically diverse populations." —Renée R. Jenkins, MD, FAAP, professor, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Howard University College of Medicine

"This is an engaging, thorough, and thought-provoking statement of our knowledge about adolescence. " —Wendy Baldwin, PhD, director, Poverty, Gender, and Youth Program, Population Council

This book covers the developmental and health problems unique to the adolescent period of life. It focuses on special needs and public health programs for adolescents. It offers deep insight into smoking, violence, teen pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, and other problems, along with intervention and prevention strategies.

"Anyone serious about improving adolescent health should read this book. It spans theoretical and developmental constructs, summaries of evidence-based interventions for adolescent risk behaviors, metrics, and policy recommendations." —S. Jean Emans, MD, chief, Division of Adolescent Medicine, and Robert Masland Jr., chair, Adolescent Medicine, Children''s Hospital Boston, and professor of pediatrics, Harvard Medical School

"This is the one single text that students can use to study adolescent health. It includes contributions from many of the world''s most accomplished researchers to provide learners with cutting edge information to make the study of adolescence understandable and applicable in practical settings." —Gary L. Hopkins, MD, DrPH, associate research professor and director, Center for Prevention Research, and director, Center for Media Impact Research, Andrews University

"This textbook presents an excellent balance in weighing the evidence from the risk and the resilience literature, incorporating research in racially and ethnically diverse populations." —Renée R. Jenkins, MD, FAAP, professor, Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Howard University College of Medicine

"This is an engaging, thorough, and thought-provoking statement of our knowledge about adolescence. " —Wendy Baldwin, PhD, director, Poverty, Gender, and Youth Program, Population Council

"Here is a ''must-read'' for all health promotion researchers and practitioners eager to stay one step ahead of the pack. A panoply of insightful and promising new approaches is presented for consideration and exploration in our contemporary behavioral science arsenal." — M. Elaine Auld, MPH, CHES, Chief Executive Officer, Society for Public Health Education

"This book is an essential addition to the health practice and research literature, concentrating on theories that have not been extensively covered elsewhere and that have great currency. It provides an up-to-date rendition on the interplay among contemporary public health concerns, sound public health practice, and the theoretical bases for practice."— Robert M. Goodman, PhD, MPH, Dean and Professor, School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, Indiana University

"The authors of Emerging Theories provide vivid descriptions of the state of the science in health promotion and presents an exciting map for future research. Understanding and using theories is the hallmark of an excellent practitioner. Creating and elaborating theories is the mark of an excellent researcher. This text will be very valuable for both." — Noreen M. Clark, PhD, Myron E. Wegman Distinguished University Professor; Director, Center for Managing Chronic Disease, University of Michigan

"Emerging Theories captures the dynamic growth in theories of health promotion and illustrates how divergent theoretical perspectives are being integrated into richer explanatory and practice models." — Matthew W. Kreuter, PhD, MPH, Professor of Social Work and Medicine; Director, Health Communication Research Laboratory, Washington University in St. Louis

"Here is a ''must-read'' for all health promotion researchers and practitioners eager to stay one step ahead of the pack. A panoply of insightful and promising new approaches is presented for consideration and exploration in our contemporary behavioral science arsenal." — M. Elaine Auld, MPH, CHES, Chief Executive Officer, Society for Public Health Education

"This book is an essential addition to the health practice and research literature, concentrating on theories that have not been extensively covered elsewhere and that have great currency. It provides an up-to-date rendition on the interplay among contemporary public health concerns, sound public health practice, and the theoretical bases for practice."— Robert M. Goodman, PhD, MPH, Dean and Professor, School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, Indiana University

"The authors of Emerging Theories provide vivid descriptions of the state of the science in health promotion and presents an exciting map for future research. Understanding and using theories is the hallmark of an excellent practitioner. Creating and elaborating theories is the mark of an excellent researcher. This text will be very valuable for both." — Noreen M. Clark, PhD, Myron E. Wegman Distinguished University Professor; Director, Center for Managing Chronic Disease, University of Michigan

"Emerging Theories captures the dynamic growth in theories of health promotion and illustrates how divergent theoretical perspectives are being integrated into richer explanatory and practice models." — Matthew W. Kreuter, PhD, MPH, Professor of Social Work and Medicine; Director, Health Communication Research Laboratory, Washington University in St. Louis

"Having so many theories put together thoughtfully, proximally, in a single book will help the field come to grips with what the role is of theories as we go forward and address the individual actions, and societal and community influencers of individual action, that promote healthy behaviors." --Jim Marks, director, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention New and longstanding threats to public health, such as violence, drug misuse, HIV/AIDS, and homelessness are creating an ever greater demand for innovative theories that are responsive to the changes in the larger social environment. This important work is designed to fill the demand by assembling a careful selection of new and emerging health promotion theories into a single volume, written with an emphasis on practical application of theory to health promotion and health education programs.

Injury and Violence Prevention: Behavioral Science Theories, Methods, and Applications is a cutting-edge volume that provides a comprehensive understanding of injury and violence prevention. This detailed resource draws on the breadth and depth of many scientific disciplines and public health practice experiences. Written by internationally renowned experts in the field, Injury and Violence Prevention emphasizes the specific theories, methods, and applications that make behavioral science approaches relevant and central to reducing injury-related harm. The book covers a wide range of topics, including the most frequently used behavior change theories and models and shows how they have been¾or could be¾applied to injury problems, the most commonly used research methods for understanding and influencing behavior change, behavior change issues for specific injury topic areas, and   a variety of cross-cutting issues important to the field.

"Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) has become the preferred model for conducting research in communities. Most scientists who conduct such research now recognize that working in partnership with the community is preferable, and more ethical, than conducting research on a communityÖ. As Surgeon General of the United States, I direct a number of programs aimed at encouraging Americans to avoid tobacco, engage in physical activity, consume more nutritious diets, and protect their health in other ways. We need more effective methods to persuade, motivate, and enable individuals and communities to adopt these healthier lifestyles, and it is through CBPR that we will be able to discover these methods."From the Foreword by Regina M. Benjamin, MD, MBA, U.S. Surgeon General"The editors of this book bring together in one place both a description of epidemiological methods and a discussion of community-level issues. It is a volume that will prove useful to those who wish to conduct contemporary community-based research." ñ Praise for the First Edition from the ForewordDavid Satcher, Former Surgeon General of the United StatesThis second edition of a highly regarded textbook on the foundations of and strategies for achieving fertile community-based health care research has been completely revised and updated. It now includes new chapters on translating research into practice, evaluating research, and applying community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles to service, education, and evaluation. The book also updates a crucial chapter on the voices of community stakeholders and an important study of the ethical issues surrounding the Tuskegee Syphilis Study. Edited by renowned professors of community-based research, the text is distinguished by its how-to approach and focus on practical research methods.The text discusses the unique challenges of conducting CBPR and addresses ways to build and sustain community partnerships. It explores ethical issues regarding health care research, includes input from community stakeholders, and describes national and international support for CBPR. Research methods covered include qualitative studies, surveys, and intervention trials. Applications of CBPR illustrate how to translate research into practice and community-based participatory approaches to service, education, and evaluation.The second edition includes new chapters on: Building and sustaining researcher/community partnerships National and international investments in and support for CBPR Surveys and methods for conducting CBPR Translating research into practice Community-based participatory approaches to service, education, and evaluation

The bestselling textbook to understanding health research, updated and expanded

Research Methods in Health Promotion provides students and practitioners with essential knowledge and skills regarding the design, implementation, analysis, and interpretation of research in the field of health promotion. Now in its second edition, this bestselling textbook has been updated with more recent research methodologies and additional information on sampling, participatory and survey research, and qualitative data analysis. The entire research process is covered, with specific points relating to both qualitative and quantitative research. By breaking the daunting process of research into simple and well-defined steps, this user-friendly text encourages students to think about research as a sequential process and provides explanations that facilitate better understanding of each step in the research process. A separate set of chapters cover the more quantitative methodological areas including designs, measurement, sampling, and data analysis in depth, giving readers the understanding they need to apply in practice.

This book also provides applied chapters that illustrate the practical aspects of the research process, along with other critical information including grant writing and scientific writing.

Evaluate the ethics, design, analysis, and interpretation of research Identify and understand the key components of research studies Analyze and interpret the results of experimental and survey research designs Understand the process of publishing a research report and constructing a grant proposal

Research Methods in Health Promotion is ideal for both undergrad and graduate methods courses in health promotion and public health.

The bestselling textbook to understanding health research, updated and expanded

Research Methods in Health Promotion provides students and practitioners with essential knowledge and skills regarding the design, implementation, analysis, and interpretation of research in the field of health promotion. Now in its second edition, this bestselling textbook has been updated with more recent research methodologies and additional information on sampling, participatory and survey research, and qualitative data analysis. The entire research process is covered, with specific points relating to both qualitative and quantitative research. By breaking the daunting process of research into simple and well-defined steps, this user-friendly text encourages students to think about research as a sequential process and provides explanations that facilitate better understanding of each step in the research process. A separate set of chapters cover the more quantitative methodological areas including designs, measurement, sampling, and data analysis in depth, giving readers the understanding they need to apply in practice.

This book also provides applied chapters that illustrate the practical aspects of the research process, along with other critical information including grant writing and scientific writing.

Evaluate the ethics, design, analysis, and interpretation of research Identify and understand the key components of research studies Analyze and interpret the results of experimental and survey research designs Understand the process of publishing a research report and constructing a grant proposal

Research Methods in Health Promotion is ideal for both undergrad and graduate methods courses in health promotion and public health.

Introduction to Global Health Promotion addresses a breadth and depth of public health topics that students and emerging professionals in the field must understand as the world's burden of disease changes with non-communicable diseases on the rise in low- and middle-income countries as their middle class populations grow. Now more than ever, we need to provide health advocacy and intervention to prevent, predict, and address emerging global health issues. This new text from the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) prepares readers with thorough and thoughtful chapters on global health promotion theories, best practices, and perspectives on the future of the field, from the individual to the global level. The world's biggest health care challenges—including HIV, malaria, heart disease, smoking, and violence, among others—are explored in detail in Introduction to Global Health Promotion. The state of the science, including the latest empirical data, is distilled into 19 chapters that update readers on the complex issues surrounding a variety of illnesses and conditions, and disease epidemics and individual, social, institutional, and governmental barriers to preventing them. Expert authors bring to the fore human rights issues, new uses of technology, and practical application of theory. These perspectives, along with the book's multidisciplinary approach, serve to create a well-rounded understanding of global health today. Learn more from the Editors of Introduction to Global Health Promotion here.

Introduction to Global Health Promotion addresses a breadth and depth of public health topics that students and emerging professionals in the field must understand as the world''s burden of disease changes with non-communicable diseases on the rise in low- and middle-income countries as their middle class populations grow. Now more than ever, we need to provide health advocacy and intervention to prevent, predict, and address emerging global health issues. This new text from the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) prepares readers with thorough and thoughtful chapters on global health promotion theories, best practices, and perspectives on the future of the field, from the individual to the global level. The world''s biggest health care challenges—including HIV, malaria, heart disease, smoking, and violence, among others—are explored in detail in Introduction to Global Health Promotion. The state of the science, including the latest empirical data, is distilled into 19 chapters that update readers on the complex issues surrounding a variety of illnesses and conditions, and disease epidemics and individual, social, institutional, and governmental barriers to preventing them. Expert authors bring to the fore human rights issues, new uses of technology, and practical application of theory. These perspectives, along with the book''s multidisciplinary approach, serve to create a well-rounded understanding of global health today. Learn more from the Editors of Introduction to Global Health Promotion here.

Introduction to Global Health Promotion addresses a breadth and depth of public health topics that students and emerging professionals in the field must understand as the world''s burden of disease changes with non-communicable diseases on the rise in low- and middle-income countries as their middle class populations grow. Now more than ever, we need to provide health advocacy and intervention to prevent, predict, and address emerging global health issues. This new text from the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) prepares readers with thorough and thoughtful chapters on global health promotion theories, best practices, and perspectives on the future of the field, from the individual to the global level. The world''s biggest health care challenges—including HIV, malaria, heart disease, smoking, and violence, among others—are explored in detail in Introduction to Global Health Promotion. The state of the science, including the latest empirical data, is distilled into 19 chapters that update readers on the complex issues surrounding a variety of illnesses and conditions, and disease epidemics and individual, social, institutional, and governmental barriers to preventing them. Expert authors bring to the fore human rights issues, new uses of technology, and practical application of theory. These perspectives, along with the book''s multidisciplinary approach, serve to create a well-rounded understanding of global health today. Learn more from the Editors of Introduction to Global Health Promotion here.

This unique text examines health behavior theory, through the context of the "New Public Health". Health Behavior Theory for Public Health will provide your students with a balanced professional education – one that explores the essential spectrum of theoretical tools as well as the core practices.Divided into three sections, the book takes an ecological approach to learning about health behavior theory and its application. The reader will first gain a broad understanding of health, public health, health behavior and health promotion planning. This is followed by a straightforward and expansive look at the most commonly applied theories and approaches to public health research and programs. Students will come away with a clear understanding of how theory fits into the larger scope of public health research and practice. Finally, readers will learn about the essential tasks of measurement, evaluation, and translation through an examination a diverse set of application tools.The Second Edition is a thorough update that offers two new chapters, new examples of application in the field, as well as new photos, pull quotes, and box features to engage the reader in learning.Key Features:•A new chapter on intervention mapping that examines the value of using multiple theories to better understand and thus better resolve social inequalities and prevent disease.•A new chapter on social network theory that explores the basics of network theory and the profound influence of networks on the health behaviors of people at all stages of life.•New examples of the application of theory such as the highly successful structural-level of intervention of Citibike in New York City.•New timely and relevant examples that illustrate difficult concepts such as evaluation and the diffusion of innovation.

This volume is designed to motivate and engage scientists, policymakers, and practitioners to greater scientific discourse, reduce the stigma on and validate the importance of women's sexual and reproductive health. It brings together historians, anthropologists, psychologists, sociologists, epidemiologists, public health researchers, genetic counselors, attorneys, social workers, nurses and physicians, and presents comprehensive coverage that will benefit women's health advocates, students, and practitioners.

In the nearly two decades since the HIV pandemic began, the rapid expansion of behavioral research on HIV prevention has prompted a crucial need for a sourcebook more advanced than an introductory textbook and broader and more readily accessible than a review periodical. The Handbook of HIV Prevention is intended as the first attempt to meet this need. The current state of affairs led us to edit a book that would represent the major areas of HIV behavioral research at a level appropriate for graduate students and experienced researchers in public health, medicine, nursing, education, and the social and behavioral sciences. In addition, we expect that the handbook will be useful in advanced undergraduate courses and as a reference book for health care professionals. Our plans to assemble the Handbook began in the fall of 1996 when we prepared a tentative outline of chapters and invited a large number of distinguished researchers in the field to be the authors of various chapters. We received an overwhelmingly favorable response from potential authors to our letters of invitation. After considerable effort by both the contributors and the editors the volume was completed in 1999, when all chapters went to press.

The idea for this volume developed when we were co-teaching our introductory, mas­ ter's-level course in the Department of Health Behavior at the UAB School of Public Health, a core course for all masters of public health students in the school regardless of the department in which they enrolled or the focus of their studies. Hence, in the course we sought to provide both students in our department, as well as those who might not ever again take a health behavior course, with an overview that would both truly represent the field and substantially provide educational, research, and public health practice benefits. This was, and continues to be, a challenge with the diversity of students specializing in fields that include not only health behavior but also bio­ statistics, environmental health sciences, epidemiology, health care organization and policy, international health, and maternal and child health. The course that we taught attempted to provide the students with an overview of some of the important health promotion and disease prevention theories, methods, and policy issues, while re­ viewing applications of these theories and methods to promoting health and pre­ venting disease through a variety of channels, for a variety of disease outcomes, and among a variety of populations. Since no one text provided this variety of readings, we depended on readings and guest lectures.