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The author explored the correlates of tobacco use among 18- and 19-year-old students at a major midwestern university. A sample of 203 randomly selected freshmen and sophomore students completed a survey that included questions about tobacco use, other drug use, mental health issues, eating disorders, stress, smoking environment, and healthy lifestyles. The prevalence rate for tobacco use was 29% for the past year and 32% for the past month. Multivariate analyses suggested that students with a lifetime diagnosis of depression or treatment for depression were 7 times as likely as other students to use tobacco. In addition, marijuana and alcohol use and weekend exposure to smoke increased the likelihood of being a tobacco user. Stress and diet behaviors were found not to be significantly associated with tobacco use. Implications for health promotion among high school and college populations are drawn from the study findings.

Life transitions are periods in time when individuals experience major changes. Transitions may occur during periods between two relatively stable states of human development. The associated changes with the transition bring instability as the person passes through the period. During this period, the individual is typically required to make major adjustments, to develop new skills, or to learn to cope with new experiences. One major life transition begins during the final year or years of high school. This transition, unlike childhood transitions, for many individuals will include a move from one's childhood home and away from their family of origin and from an established network of friends. A successful transition to young adulthood will form a foundation for the individual in future stages of development and transitions. Three frameworks of transition, developmental psychology, counseling, and nursing, are described.

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Increasing globalization calls for undergraduate nursing programs to develop opportunities for students to participate in study-abroad activities. For some students, the cost of such activities can prohibit participation. The influx of refugees to the United States provides an alternative opportunity for students to think and act globally without the cost of travel.This article discusses how a community health assessment, completed through a partnership with a public health department, addressed barriers to emergency preparedness for Somali refugees. Students collected data using a focus group of 10 female Somali refugees. The focus group participants had limited understanding of English and fewer than half could read written Somali. Students gained insight into the language barriers among the refugees and the need for cultural sensitivity. They provided outreach, met Somali community leaders, and started the process of communication on emergency preparedness.