In June 2005, a distinguished group of researchers gathered at the University of Pennsylvania to synthesize recent developments in the field of adolescent brain development and their implications for the prevention of mental disorder. The results have been released in a new volume, Adolescent Psychopathology and the Developing Brain: Integrating Brain and Prevention Science, published
Books and Publications
Abstinence-only programs inadequate, Bleakley writes
Federal funding of abstinence-only education is fiscally, politically and scientifically irresponsible, writes Amy Bleakley in a column published in today’s Philadelphia Inquirer. Bleakley, a research scientist in the Health Communication Group of the Annenberg Public Policy Center, notes that studies confirm the programs are ineffective in preventing or delaying sexual activity among teens. They are losing political support among
Turow co-authors a warning about posting personal health records online
Joseph Turow co-authored an op-ed article published today in the San Francisco Chronicle. “Why Marketers Want Inside Your Medicine Cabinet” describes the potential threats to privacy if personal health records are posted online by a for-profit marketer of health information. WebMD, an online provider of health information, recently announced a free service that will allow
New National Annenberg Election Survey Analysis of 2000 and 2004 Elections Published
Capturing Campaign Dynamics, 2000 and 2004: The National Annenberg Election Survey, written by Daniel Romer, Kate Kenski, Kenneth Winneg, Christopher Adasiewicz and Kathleen Hall Jamieson, has been published by the University of Pennsylvania Press. The book analyzes the presidential elections of 2000 and 2004, two of the most contested and dramatic in this nation’s history.
Public Support for Condom Instruction Strong; Support for Abstinence-Only Programs Low, New Survey Finds
Abstinence-only sex education programs – a favorite of the Bush administration but criticized by many health experts – are not supported by a large majority of the American public, regardless of their political or religious ideologies, a new survey has found. Eighty percent of those surveyed favored a sex education curriculum that includes information about
Kids and TV: Researchers Urge Parents to Cut Back – and Offer Help on Pulling the Plug
Although most parents agree that their kids should watch less television, they also aren’t certain how to pull the plug, according to a new study by researchers at the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania, RTI International in Research Triangle Park, N.C., and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.
Legislative Issue Ads Analyzed in New Study
More than $400 million was spent on issue advertising targeted primarily to members of Congress or other federal policy-makers during the 108th Congress, according to a new study published in the fall issue of The Harvard International Journal of Press/Politics. “Legislative Issue Advertising in the 108th Congress: Pluralism or Peril?” analyzed the nearly 68,000 ads
On Behalf of Journalism: A Manifesto for Change
“On Behalf of Journalism,” is a document of hope for a difficult time. To journalism’s many daunting challenges, it offers no easy cure, but a panorama of possibilities. To embrace opportunity, of course, one must believe in the future and be open to the unknown. These are not common attitudes among journalists today, for all
More Than 1 Million Young People Use Internet Gambling Sites Each Month
Rates of Online Gambling Among Males 18-22 Doubled Last Year Two days after Congress cracked down on online gambling, new data released today show that more than one million young people currently are using Internet gambling sites on a monthly basis. Among males 18 to 22, Internet gambling doubled in the past year. The new
Internet Ranks Highest for Promoting Political Awareness and Civic Involvement Among Young People
The Internet is the best information source for promoting political awareness and civic engagement among youths aged 14-22, according to findings reported in the June issue of Communication Research. Conversely, a heavy diet of television viewing lowered political awareness. Newspaper consumption among youths heightened political knowledge, but did little to motivate the readers to become