The purpose of this research was to explore college students' attitudes about heart disease risks and preventive strategies. The survey population consisted of students enrolled in selected lecture courses at Arizona State University. A total of 1481 surveys were used in data analysis. Respondents indicated a lower perception of heart disease risk for women than for men, and a majority of students incorrectly believed that breast cancer is a more significant health concern for women than heart disease. Respondents in most ethnic groups believed that whites are most at risk for developing heart disease. Students overall had relatively low levels of knowledge about heart disease and its risk factors compared to other health issues, such as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and psychological disorders. The results suggest that educational intervention is necessary to increase college students' knowledge about heart disease; and, in particular, efforts need to be made to raise awareness about heart disease among women and minorities. Guidelines for future educational intervention must address common misconceptions about which demographic groups are at risk for developing heart disease and address gaps in knowledge that young people have regarding heart disease prevention.
Deteriorating urban neighbourhoods often seem to defy government intervention efforts. Neighbourhood distress rarely tops local political agendas, and local governments find it difficult to muster the resources required to significantly improve distressed neighbourhoods. The few resources that exist are often spread thinly across large areas, making impacts difficult to see. This research looks at two initiatives that aimed to overcome these challenges. Both Toronto, Ontario, and Phoenix, Arizona, targeted regeneration efforts to a few neighbourhoods. Both initiatives have had some success, but have also faced implementation and sustainability challenges. We find that strong local administrative sectors, coupled with political change, present opportunities to redistribute resources to neighbourhoods in need, but that the broader structure and financing of local government significantly limits the scope of redistributive efforts that can be realized.
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