American journal of preventive medicine
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The objective of this study is to assess the changes in rates of juvenile cannabis criminal allegations and racial disparities in Oregon after legalization of cannabis (July 2015) for adults. ⋯ Adult cannabis legalization in Oregon was associated with increased juvenile cannabis allegations; increases are not explained by changes in underage cannabis use. Relative disparities decreased for black youth but remained unchanged for American Indian/Alaska Native youth. Changing regulations following adult cannabis legalization could have unintended negative impacts on youth.
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The uninsured population faces greater health risks than the insured population. Although prior research has examined how the uninsured rate has changed for various sociodemographic groups, less is known about how the characteristics of the uninsured population have changed in recent years. ⋯ Although prior research has considered changes in the uninsured rate for key sociodemographic groups, fewer studies have considered how these changes affected the composition of the uninsured population in the U.S. The profile of the uninsured population, which has changed over time, can help to inform interventions to target this group.
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Affirmative health care is imperative to address health and mental health disparities faced by transgender communities. Yet, transgender help-seekers experience discrimination that precludes their access to and participation in care. This study uses latent class analysis to examine patterns of healthcare discrimination among transgender help-seekers. Predictors of class membership are investigated to identify subpopulations at highest risk for healthcare discrimination. ⋯ Experiences of healthcare discrimination are not homogeneous across transgender help-seekers. Predictors of the latent classes indicated that transgender help-seekers holding an additional marginalized identity may be at higher risk for healthcare discrimination or care from providers with limited trans-competence. Targeted engagement and education interventions might improve these transgender help-seekers' access to and connections with care.
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Characterization of emergency department visits attributed to adverse events involving benzodiazepines can be used to guide preventive interventions. This study describes U.S. emergency department visits attributed to adverse events involving benzodiazepines by intent, patient characteristics, and clinical manifestations. ⋯ These findings support recommendations to assess for and address substance use disorder before initiating or continuing benzodiazepines and reinforce the need for validated self-harm risk assessment tools for clinicians.
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The association between e-cigarette use and chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has not been studied thoroughly, particularly in populations defined by concomitant combustible smoking status. ⋯ The results suggest possible e-cigarette-related pulmonary toxicity across all the categories of combustible cigarette smoking status, including those who had never smoked combustible cigarettes.