Only 17 states in the U.S. require that an automated external defibrillator be installed in at least some of their schools, according to a new analysis published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A 2014 study published in Advances in Nutrition found that more than half of young adults aged 18 to 24 have at least one coronary heart disease risk factor.

"Without an AED, the chances of surviving and leaving the hospital as a child are only 7 to 10 percent," Dr. Mark Sherrid, lead author of the study, cardiologist and professor at NYU Langone Medical Center, told Reuters Health. "So, these kids tend not to make it." But with a shockable rhythm, "your chances go up to 60 to 70 percent," Sherrid said.
Sherrid and his team used LexisNexis Academic to find current state regulations of AED requirements in schools across the country. As of February, 17 states had some form of legislation but 33 had none.

That's an increase from the nine jurisdictions that required AED installation in 2010, but the researchers noted that it's still far from comprehensive.

Out of the 17 states, only one requires them in public grade schools, private schools and colleges. Four require them in public grade schools and colleges, two in public and private grade schools, nine only in public grade schools and one only in college.

Only five of the states provide funding to schools for purchasing AEDs. The researcher calculated that almost 35 million public elementary and secondary students attend schools with no AED legislation.

A questionnaire study found that two in 50 U.S. high schools can expect a sudden cardiac arrest event each year. But several observation studies have shown there's a connection between AED installation in schools and colleges and increased survival.

Sherrid noted that installing AEDs in schools should include an implementation plan in which all staff are trained on how to use an AED, along with CPR training.

"This review should be used to inform the debate about expanding community-access AEDs into schools," he added.

But schools aren't the only places that are in need of AEDs. A recent study published in the AHA's journal Circulation found that it would save lives to install AEDs in coffee shops and next to ATMs.

“Just like fire-extinguishers, AED deployment in high-traffic areas is an important component of public safety,” Marion Leary, fellow of the AHA, told HCB News.

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