The authors of this study examined the health behaviors of Texas college students, using a telephone survey to assess 1,408 randomly selected students enrolled in 23 institutions of higher education. Eighty-nine percent of those surveyed had consumed alcohol at least once, and nearly one third considered themselves regular smokers. More than 81% reported they had had sexual intercourse at least once, and one fourth of the sexually active men had had more than 10 partners. However, of the 1,148 students who were sexually active, only 40.1% reported using a condom at last intercourse. Almost 59% of the students surveyed had never been taught about HIV or AIDS in any of their college classes. Given the large sample size and the random methods employed, the authors suggest that the results of this study can be used to establish a baseline of information regarding health behaviors of college students that can be extrapolated to college populations across the country.

A statewide survey of 2,875 Texas public school nurses was conducted to determine the characteristics, needs, and involvement of nurses in the health and education management of students with special health care needs (SSHCN). The 1,574 survey respondents (response rate = 55%) were primarily registered nurses (84%) with a mean of 8.6 years (SD = 7.1) of experience in the school setting. Respondents served 1.5 school campuses on average; the mean nurse-to-student ratio per campus was 1:728 (SD = 518). Respondents identified 106,650 SSHCN (6% of total enrollment). Asthma (47%), attention deficit disorder (26%), and seizure disorders (8%) were the most prevalent conditions encountered among SSHCN. Medication administration (54%), diapering (12%), and inhalation respiratory treatments (11%) were the most common of 48,569 health procedures delivered daily to SSHCN by nurses, clerical staff, assistants, and teachers. Parents were identified as the primary source of both child-specific health (70%) and training (68%) information in the school setting. Although nurses, of all school personnel, are likely best able to speak to the impact of a child's health impairment and needed school services, only 32% of respondents reported routine participation in special education eligibility evaluations and only 18% reported routine attendance at special education meetings for SSHCN. Moreover, 84% and 92%, respectively, reported discomfort at participating in special education eligibility evaluations and attending special education meetings.

A successful school experience is critical to the development of all children, particularly in the areas of academic achievement, regular school attendance, and social competency. Vulnerabilities in achieving each of these three goals have been documented among students with special health care needs (SSHCN), and ascribed to the influence of their health-related disabilities. Despite recognition of these vulnerabilities, barriers still exist to successful integration of SSHCN into educational settings. A key barrier to successful integration involves poor linkages between the health and education systems. This article describes a model linkage system--the School Liaison Program at Texas Children's Hospital, developed as a U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Maternal and Child Health Bureau Special Project of Regional and National Significance. The program provides educational liaison services between the largest pediatric hospital in the United States and school districts in the fourth largest city. A description of the linkage system emphasizes interdisciplinary staffing by both special educators and health providers. The model for educational liaison service delivery presented includes the elements of eligibility, assessment of the educational implications of illness, plan development and referral, involvement in educational placement, and monitoring. Resources for integrating SSHCN into educational settings are suggested.