The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine
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The state-level legalization of medical marijuana has raised concerns about increased accessibility and appeal of the drug to youth. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of medical marijuana legalization across the United States by comparing trends in adolescent marijuana use between states with and without legalization of medical marijuana. ⋯ This study did not find increases in adolescent marijuana use related to legalization of medical marijuana.
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To determine the pervasiveness of opioid prescribing for adolescents with headache and patient and provider characteristics associated with likelihood of opioid prescribing. ⋯ Of 8,373 adolescents with headache, 46% (3,859 patients) received an opioid prescription. Nearly half (48%) received one opioid prescription during follow-up; 29% received ≥3 opioid prescriptions. Of those with opioid prescriptions, 25% (977 patients) had a migraine diagnosis at index date. Among adolescents who received opioids, 28% (1,076 adolescents) had an emergency department (ED) visit for headache during follow-up versus 14% (608 adolescents) who did not receive opioids (p < .01). ED visits with a headache diagnosis during follow-up were strongly correlated with opioid use after adjusting for other covariates (odds ratio, 2.02; 95% confidence interval, 1.79-2.29). Despite the treatment guidelines recommending against their use, a large proportion of adolescents with headache were prescribed opioids. ED visits were strongly correlated with opioid prescriptions.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A longitudinal, randomized, controlled trial of advance care planning for teens with cancer: anxiety, depression, quality of life, advance directives, spirituality.
To test the feasibility, acceptability and safety of a pediatric advance care planning intervention, Family-Centered Advance Care Planning for Teens With Cancer (FACE-TC). ⋯ Family-Centered Advance Care Planning for Teens With Cancer demonstrated feasibility and acceptability. Courageous adolescents willingly participated in highly structured, in-depth pediatric advance care planning conversations safely.
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To examine young adults' health care utilization and expenditures prior to the Affordable Care Act. ⋯ Young adults may not be utilizing the health care system optimally by having low rates of office-based visits and high rates of emergency room visits. The Affordable Care Act provision of insurance for those previously uninsured or under-insured will likely increase their utilization and expenditures and lower their out-of-pocket expenses. Further effort is needed to address noninsurance barriers and ensure equal access to health services.
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As elsewhere, in South Korea electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are marketed, in part, as a smoking cessation aid. We assessed the prevalence of e-cigarette use among Korean adolescents and the relationship between e-cigarette use and current (past 30-day) smoking, cigarettes/day, attempts to quit conventional cigarettes, and ceasing to use cigarettes. ⋯ Some Korean adolescents may be responding to advertising claims that e-cigarettes are a cessation aid: those who had made an attempt to quit were more likely to use e-cigarettes but less likely to no longer use cigarettes. E-cigarette use was strongly associated with current and heavier cigarette smoking.