ABSTRACT. Objectives. To describe characteristics of emergency department (ED) encounters for pediatric patients with an acute mental health diagnosis.Methods. Data are from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, which includes abstracts from the medical records of a national probability sample of visits to EDs. Analysis was limited to records of patients who were younger than 19 years and had a diagnosis of either confirmed or suspected mental disorder or a suicide attempt.Results. There was an estimated annual average of 434 000 ED pediatric mental health visits from 1993 to 1999, an average annual rate of 326.8 visits per 10 000 people. Visit rates varied by patient's region, age, race, and gender. Psychosis was the diagnosis in 10.8% of these patients, and suicide attempt was the diagnosis in 13.6%. ED pediatric mental health visits accounted for 1.6% of all ED visits in this age group. Conclusions. The significant increase in emergency department pediatric mental health (EDPMH) visits from

This article explores knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding HIV/AIDS for persons aged 50-64 by using data from the 1996 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. It examines what percentage have been tested for HIV, where and why they have been tested, knowledge about condom effectiveness, and self-perceived risk. The purpose is twofold: First, it presents an epidemiologic analysis of HIV/AIDS-related attitudes and behaviors of adults aged 50-64; second, it explores whether theoretical models used on other groups fit well with this age group. The authors conclude that the conceptual model is less robust for this group and there is a substantial need for health promotion efforts directed at older adults.

Most states experienced increases in safety belt use, mammography, and adult vaccinations. Trends for smoking and binge alcohol use are disturbing, and obesity data support previous findings. Trend data are useful for targeting state preventive health efforts.

Most US adults do not engage in HIV-related risk behavior; those that do are more likely to report protective behavior.