Reviewing the definition of "elderly"

Conventionally, "elderly" has been defined as a chronological age of 65 years old or older, while those from 65 through 74 years old are referred to as "early elderly" and those over 75 years old as "late elderly." However, the evidence on which this definition is based is unknown. We have attempted to review the definition of elderly by analyzing data from long-term longitudinal epidemiological studies, and clinical and pathological studies that have been accumulated at the Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital and the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology. Our recommendation might be a starting point in developing a strategy for a successful society by reviewing the definition of elderly based on comprehensive evidence in all aspects of social, cultural and medical sciences.     

Recommendations for educational reform in the United States

This article suggests that the United States educational system needs significant changes. The goal of the article is to present a basic educational philosophy that would facilitate this reform. Specifically, education should be viewed as not only a means to an end that teaches basic skills for employment, but also as a process that enhances social development and self-actualization. Recommendations are offered to achieve this important goal.     

高师地理学科的环境教育

党的十六大所提出的全面建设小康社会，是一个包括政治、经济、文化、环境乃至国民素质的综合概念。它特别要求国民具有健全的环境意识，良好的环境伦理道德和高尚的环境道德行为。作为担负着提高全体国民环境素质和培养中小学环境教育教师和地方环境建设服务三重使命的高师地理学科，面临着其环境教育的课程设置、教材建设和教师队伍建设等不可回避的课题，有必要进行深入探索。     

网络和现实社会交互环境对网民的健康效应及卫生策略

网络社会对人类社会活动和生活方式带来了极大的影响，对人群健康的作用也存在双重效应。网络成瘾、网络孤独以及生理损伤成为网络社会的主要健康问题，但提高网民社会化程度、提供虚拟支持、增加健康信息供给的途径也给网民带来了诸多的健康效益。目前，要积极制定网络社会卫生策略，以促进网络社会化、虚拟支持和网络健康赋权对网民健康的贡献。     

先秦社会时空方位观对中医理论的影响

先秦社会的五行阴阳以及四风系统的时空方位观对中医理论发展有着很大影响 ,说明中医理论是在接受先秦时期科学技术思想及社会观念发展起来的 ,有许多内容尚待探讨 ,如仅用秦汉后的观点去认识是会有偏误的。     

Perinatal outcome and the social contract: Interrelationships between health and society

Abstract Rates of infant mortality and prematurity or low birthweight serve as indirect measures of the health of a nation. This paper presents current population data documenting the still serious problem of perinatal outcome in the USA as well as in other economically developed countries. International comparisons suggest that nations which have the greatest inequality of income and social opportunity also have the most adverse perinatal, child and adult health outcomes. Furthermore, the data assert that these effects are independent of average national wealth or gross national economic productivity. Health status differs by social class and race, even among the most affluent sectors of the population. All social classes, even the wealthiest, suffer the health consequences of social inequalities. An explanatory socio-psychological theory of causality is proposed.     

关于构建小康社会医疗保障体系的政策建议

根据党的十六大提出的“全面建设小康社会”的宏伟目标，提出构建小康社会医疗保障体制的政策建议：从单一的医疗保障向健康保障拓展；从单一人群向整体人群拓展。同时认为要树立协作观、处理好乡镇企业职工参保、基层操作层面的利用、药品目录的重新制定等问题。     

从滑坡现象和风险社会理论看安乐死

“安乐死”问题一直是一个极具争论的议题，赞成者和反对者各持一方，近年来，国内赞成安乐死的呼声越来越高，笔者从风险社会理论角度出发，对比分析荷兰安乐死立法的社会背景和实践中的滑坡现象。认为像我们这样有着深厚传统文化，卫生资源相对贫乏，医疗保障水平低，法制还不十分健全的国家，在目前社会条件下，对安乐死的问题应审慎。     

The Story of the Texas Pain Society: Formation and Function of a Regional Pain Society

Abstract: The idea of forming a Texas Pain Society came to the Founders in 1987 due to disparity and deficiencies in the practice of pain management in the United States and, in particular, the State of Texas. The Founders considered very carefully the implication of forming such a society. They diligently mapped out the mission and goals of the Texas Pain Society in those early formative years. This report is the history of Texas Pain Society as the activities unfolded from 1989 to 2011. The reader may question why there is a need to tell such a story. We believe strongly that, with disparities of standards of practice in pain medicine and poor recognition of advances in pain management, this scenario is quite common in many states and countries. The practitioners of pain management in these regions certainly must have considered getting together and forming a consensus on the standards of practice in their communities. This historical report of the Texas Pain Society provides the relevant information necessary and the efforts to be made for a society’s mission to achieve its goals and have an ongoing impact in its own region. We hope that we have shed some light on a process for the formation of a regional pain society such as ours. ?