Research News Roundup: June 9, 2022

Journal: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2021.11.015

Authors: April C. Wisdom, Madhumita Govindu, Stephen J. Liu, Christina M. Meyers, Jenelle L. Mellerson, Derrick W. Gervin, Lara DePadilla & Kristin M. Holland

Abstract:

Introduction: Adverse childhood experiences and overdose are linked in a cycle that affects individuals and communities across generations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Overdose Data to Action cooperative agreement supports a comprehensive public health approach to overdose prevention and response activities across the U.S. Exposure to traumatic events during childhood can increase the risk for myriad health outcomes, including overdose; therefore, many Overdose Data to Action recipients leveraged funds to address adverse childhood experiences.

Methods: In 2021, an inventory of Overdose Data to Action‒funded activities implemented in 2019 and 2020 showed that 34 of the 66 recipients proposed overdose prevention activities that support people who have experienced adverse childhood experiences or that focus on preventing the intergenerational transmission of adverse childhood experiences. Activities were coded by adverse childhood experience prevention strategy, level of the social ecology, and whether they focused on neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Results: Most activities among Overdose Data to Action recipients occurred at the community level of the social‒ecologic model and under the intervene to lessen harms adverse childhood experience prevention strategy. Of the 84 adverse childhood experience‒related activities taking place across 34 jurisdictions, 44 are focused on neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Conclusions: Study results highlight the opportunities to expand the breadth of adverse childhood experience prevention strategies across the social ecology. Implementing cross-cutting overdose and adverse childhood experience‒related activities that span the social‒ecologic model are critical for population-level change and have the potential for the broadest impact. Focusing on neonatal abstinence syndrome also offers a unique intervention opportunity for both adverse childhood experience and overdose prevention.

To read the full text of the article, please visit the publisher’s website.

Journal: Tobacco Prevention & Cessation, 2022, doi: 10.18332/tpc/148245

Authors: Breesa Bennett, Katelyn F. Romm & Carla J. Berg

Abstract:

Introduction: COVID-19 impacted cigarette and e-cigarette use behaviors among some individuals. This study examined COVID-19 factors and prior substance use as predictors of cigarette and e-cigarette cessation and initiation among US young adults from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: We analyzed data from Wave 3 (Sept-Dec 2019) and Wave 5 (Sept-Dec 2020) of a 2-year, 5-wave longitudinal study of young adults across six US metropolitan areas. We examined COVID-19 news exposure, perceived smoking and e-cigarette use risk, and prior substance use, as predictors of cigarette and e-cigarette cessation and initiation, respectively.

Results: Of W3 cigarette users (n=516), 37.8% (n=195) quit cigarettes at W5; predictors of cessation included younger age, fewer days of W3 past-month cigarette use, and no W3 e-cigarette use. Of W3 e-cigarette users (n=687), 38.7% (n=266) quit e-cigarettes at W5; predictors included greater COVID-19 news exposure, fewer days of W3 past-month e-cigarette use, and no W3 cigarette use. Of W3 cigarette non-users (n=1693), 5.0% (n=85) initiated cigarettes at W5; predictors of initiation included younger age, lower perceived smoking risk, lifetime cigarette and e-cigarette use, and W3 e-cigarette use. Of W3 e-cigarette non-users (n=1522), 6.3% (n=96) initiated e-cigarettes at W5; predictors included younger age, less news exposure, lifetime cigarette and e-cigarette use, and W3 cigarette use.

Conclusions: These findings underscore the need to address cigarette and e-cigarette co-use and related risk perceptions in prevention and cessation interventions.

To read the full text of the article, please visit the publisher’s website.

Journal: Front Psychiatry, 2022, doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.882486

Authors: Sharon Levy, Alyssa Fuller, Shawn Kelly, Julie Lunstead, Elissa R. Weitzman & John H. Straus

Abstract:

Background: Screening Brief Intervention Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is recommended as a routine part of pediatric primary care, though managing patients with positive screens is challenging. To address this problem, the state of Massachusetts created a call line staffed by pediatric Addiction Medicine specialists to provide consultations to primary care providers and access to a behavioral health provider specially trained in managing adolescent substance use.

Objective: To describe the uptake and outcomes of a consultation call line and virtual counseling for managing substance use disorders (SUD) in pediatric primary care.

Methods: Service delivery data from consultations and counseling appointments were captured in an electronic database including substance, medication recommendations, level of care recommendations and number of counseling appointments completed for each patient. Summary data is presented here.

Results: In all, there were 407 encounters to 108 unique families, including 128 consultations and 279 counseling visits in a one-year period. The most common substances mentioned by healthcare providers were cannabis (64%), nicotine (20%), alcohol (20%), vaping (9%) and opioids (5%). Management in primary care was recommended for 87 (68%) of the consultations. Medications for SUD treatment were recommended for 69 (54%) consultations including two for opioid use disorder.

Conclusion: We found that both a statewide consultation call line and virtual counseling to support SBIRT in pediatric primary care were feasible. The majority of consultations resulted in recommendations for treatment in primary care.

To read the full text of the article, please visit the publisher’s website.

Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health, 2022, doi: 10.3390/ijerph19105846

Authors: Crystal Lin, Shivani Mathur Gaiha & Bonnie Halpern-Felsher

Abstract:

E-cigarettes, the most popular tobacco product among adolescents, vary widely in design and nicotine composition; thus, different devices may have different addictive potential. However, few studies examine levels of nicotine dependence across devices among adolescent and young adult (AYA) e-cigarette users. To assess the extent of nicotine dependence among US AYA (ages 13-24) by e-cigarette device type, we conducted a large, national, cross-sectional survey (n = 4351) and used the Hooked on Nicotine Checklist (HONC) to assess levels of nicotine dependence among those who had used disposable, pod-based, and/or mods/other e-cigarette devices in the past 30 days. We also examined HONC scores among those who had used combustible cigarettes in the past 30 days, whether with or without using e-cigarettes. Patterns of nicotine dependence were comparable across those who had used a combustible cigarette and/or e-cigarette in the past 30 days, with 91.4% of combustible cigarette users, 80.7% of disposable e-cigarette users, 83.1% of pod-based e-cigarette users, and 82.5% of mods/other e-cigarette users showing signs of nicotine dependence, as measured by endorsing at least one HONC symptom. This pattern persisted when analyses were restricted to e-cigarette only users, with more than 70% of all e-cigarette only past-30-day users endorsing at least one HONC symptom, across all types of devices. A thorough understanding of the extent and presentation of nicotine dependence among AYA will help researchers, public health officials, and clinicians recognize and manage AYA nicotine dependence.

To read the full text of the article, please visit the publisher’s website.