Fruit and vegetable consumption of rural African Americans: baseline survey results of the Black Churches United for Better Health 5 A Day Project.

The objective of this study was to determine baseline fruit and vegetable consumption (total and specific) among rural African Americans participating in a 5 A Day intervention study and factors associated with this dietary intake. A telephone survey was administered to 3,737 adult members of 50 black churches from 10 rural counties in North Carolina. The survey measured demographic characteristics, knowledge and beliefs regarding cancer and nutrition, and food-frequency data related specifically to fruit and vegetable consumption.

Validation of an inferential approach for the measurement of illegitimacy.

An inferential model which utilizes surname comparisons in inferring legitimacy status is developed and validated. Criterion validation is employed to assess the level of agreement between the inferential approach and the conventional reporting procedure. Data for the analysis are based on a sample of birth certificates contained in files of the National Center for Health Statistics for calendar year 1973.

The emerging role of sociological consultation in the field of community mental health.

One of the most innovative features of the community mental health movement is its expansion to include other than the traditional mental health personnel. It seems most appropriate now that the sociologist be among the new manpower resources put to use by the various agencies concerned with the community mental health movement. In this regard, it is necessary that both professionals and lay people working in mental health be made aware of what the sociologist can contribute to the mental health movement.