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The rate of low birth weight (LBW) is a national concern. In New York counties in 2009, the LBW rate was 8.2%. Reducing LBW has significant humanitarian and economic implications. At an average cost of $51,600 per infant, care for infants weighing less than 2,500 grams at birth is substantial. The purpose of this study was to identify demographic, socioeconomic, and health service factors that contribute to LBW among counties in New York. Analyses of data indicated that the number of MOMs providers and teen pregnancy rate were the strongest predictors for LBW. These findings reinforce the fact that LBW is a correctable phenomenon that can be addressed through public policy. With increasing budget cuts, provision of health services and implementation of programs that address teen pregnancy have become challenging. Public policy decisions and stewardship that support programs that increase the number of providers for the uninsured, underinsured, and economic underclass and maintain programs for the pregnant adolescent will help New York counties in their fight against LBW.

In 2007, 48% of U.S. students of grades 9 to 12 had experienced sexual debut, 7% before the age of 13 years. Preventing early intercourse, sexually transmitted diseases, adolescent pregnancy, and the loss of educational opportunity are important concerns for nurses and educators. A secondary data analysis of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) 2003 provided data identifying the relationships among age at sexual debut, gender, location of residence, and perceived school safety (PSS) as framed by the theory of problem behavior. Mean age at sexual debut was 14.4 years. Males were younger at sexual debut than females. Students reporting positive PSS were older at sexual debut. Age at sexual debut was significantly associated with PSS, gender, and location of residence. School nurses are positioned to identify evidence-based programs, facilitate the development of collaborative interventions to improve PSS, and change trajectories of sexual activity leading to poor health outcomes in adolescents and health risk behaviors in adults.

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Improvement in students' attitudes is beneficial for promoting nonjudgmental, compassionate care for the HIV+ population.

Objectives: We explored the association between renal insufficiency (RI) and mortality among patients treated with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Background: Randomized trials have shown improvements in survival among select patients treated with an ICD. Renal insufficiency patients have a high risk of cardiac death; however, it is not clear whether the ICD has a positive effect on survival in this group of patients. Methods: This was a retrospective review of a single-center experience of 346 patients treated with an ICD. Patients were stratified into 4 groups according to their glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; expressed as mL/min/ -1.73 m 2 ) at implantation: group I, > 75.0; group II, −60.0 to 74.9; group III, −45.0 to 59.9; and group IV, − ≤45.0. All-cause mortality was the primary end point, with differences in survival times among the 4 groups of patients expressed in Kaplan-Meier curves.Results: Mean follow-up was 3.5 y (range 0.1 to 12.9 y), during which 67 patients died (19%). Mortality in each eGFR group was: I −6.8%, II −13.8%, III −11.5%, IV −45.8% (p<0.001). Survival times (mean, y) were I, 3.74; II, 3.66; III, 3.38, and IV, 2.82. The presence of diabetes was not a factor in the outcomes.

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