title: Availability of Automated External Defibrillators in Public High Schools.
abstract: To assess automated external defibrillator (AED) distribution and cardiac emergency preparedness in Michigan secondary schools and investigate for association with school sociodemographic characteristics.
  
  
  
  Surveys were sent via electronic mail to representatives from all public high schools in 30 randomly selected Michigan counties, stratified by population. Association of AED-related factors with school sociodemographic characteristics were evaluated using Wilcoxon rank sum test and χ(2) test, as appropriate.
  
  
  
  Of 188 schools, 133 (71%) responded to the survey and all had AEDs. Larger student population was associated with fewer AEDs per 100 students (P < .0001) and fewer staff with AED training per AED (P = .02), compared with smaller schools. Schools with >20% students from racial minority groups had significantly fewer AEDs available per 100 students than schools with less racial diversity (P = .03). Schools with more students eligible for free and reduced lunch were less likely to have a cardiac emergency response plan (P = .02) and demonstrated less frequent AED maintenance (P = .03).
  
  
  
  Although AEDs are available at public high schools across Michigan, the number of AEDs per student varies inversely with minority student population and school size. Unequal distribution of AEDs and lack of cardiac emergency preparedness may contribute to outcomes of sudden cardiac arrest among youth.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI. Electronic address: mjoettewhite@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Michelle J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: White
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
authors.forename: Emefah C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Loccoh
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
authors.forename: Monica M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Goble
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
authors.forename: Sunkyung
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Genomics and Genetic Disorders Section, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Lansing, MI.
authors.forename: Deb
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Duquette
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
authors.forename: Matthew M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.affiliation: Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
authors.forename: Folafoluwa O
authors.initials: FO
authors.lastname: Odetola
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
authors.forename: Mark W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Russell
mesh_terms: D002959:Civil Defense / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000453:epidemiology; D047548:Defibrillators / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008824:Michigan; D012572:School Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012574:Schools; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires