Centering Race and Ethnicity- Related Issues in Social Sciences Curricula

A 2002 review of the course requirements and electives of Economics, History, Political Science, and Sociology programs in thirty randomly selected state and private, doctoral-level and masters-level institutions produced 201 courses relating to the study of race-and ethnic-related issues. Only two courses (History offerings on a single campus) were required for completion of a major. While some departments offered concentrations with mandated content, the concentrations themselves were elective. Diversity in America today is a truly important component of social (re)organization and change and, thus, a major source of social friction. Why is it, then, that students, those majoring in the social sciences in particular, are able, by uninformed or informed choice, to complete a degree with but cursory attention to the topic? This essay addresses the reasons for relegation of diversity-related issues to optional status and argues that the situation can and should be reversed

A Study in Self-Defeat: The Public Health Venereal Disease Clinic

This paper relates the results of three months of participant observation and interviews in a public venereal disease clinic. The research was directed toward assessment of the relationship of clinic efficiency (a smoothly operating bureaucratic clinic) and clinic effectiveness (a major reduction of illness within a community). The venereal disease clinic is described as an efficient and well planned health unit with three major objectives: a) checking the increase of V.D. through preventive medicine; b) detection and treatment of V.D. within the community; and c) provision of health services to lower S.E.S. segments of the population. Research results indicate that these (effectiveness) goals are systematically defeated through pursuit of bureaucratic (efficiency) objectives alien to the patient population, and, secondarily, through the more common problem of value conflict between staff and patients. The report concludes with evidence which indicates the extent of the damage done to effectiveness goals and suggests that effective health delivery systems may best be attained apart from present concepts and mechanisms of public health programs and philosophies

Limited impact of the breast self-examination movement: A Latin American illustration

Analysis of data obtained through a survey of women in Monterrey, Mexico, indicates that the transfer of breast self-examination (BSE) technology from the medical community to the Monterrey public has been inefficacious. Only 1 in 200 women reported monthly breast self-examination performed correctly and at the optimal time of the month. Among women who reported examining their breasts monthly, transfer of BSE technology, whether by medical or non-medical sources, was unrelated to knowledge of correct time and method of BSE. Personal instruction of BSE technology by physician failed to produce the desired response since 80% of the respondents were taught BSE technique in 'one-shot', short sessions. The findings indicate that, ultimately, the success of BSE in improving disease outcomes rests with the medical community more than with the patient population. Success will only follow more intense initial instruction and persistent reinstruction of women in BSE. The implications of these findings for current research seeking to evaluate BSE influence on cancer outcomes are noted.preventive behavior breast self-examination health education Mexico