Tourette syndrome in children: knowledge and services.

Tourette syndrome (TS), an underdiagnosed motor and verbal tic disorder, has an average onset of 7 years and can lead to multiple educational and psychological problems even before a diagnosis is determined. Clinic social workers can be of tremendous assistance to both child and family in learning what TS is, working effectively with the school system, and resolving intrapersonal and intrafamily problems associated with TS. To do so, they can draw on theory and methodology generated in chronic illness, individual counseling, and family therapy.

Cholesterol education at the worksite.

1. Risk factors for coronary heart disease include age, sex, family history, high cholesterol, blood pressure, smoking, and severe obesity. The last four risk factors can be modified with lifestyle changes. 2. Occupational health nurses who provide primary care to workers can assist employees in detecting and treating their elevated cholesterol. Cholesterol screening at the workplace is an effective means for employees to learn their cholesterol level or monitor their dietary progress in lowering their cholesterol. 3. Employees can modify their eating behaviors by developing the skills to make wise dietary choices. Simple dietary self assessment and self monitoring tools will aid employees in monitoring and evaluating their efforts. 4. To successfully implement a cholesterol education program and counsel employees, occupational health nurses need to increase their knowledge of nutrition, specifically the composition of a diet that will help reduce the risks associated with heart disease.

An Industry Health Management Program.

An employee fitness program helped reduce some coronary risk factors, but this is only one measure of success. The author says that long-term changes in diet and exercise habits are the real challenge.