drugs
New data on substance use and young people in hospitals
Evidence is generally mixed on how substance use among youth may have changed during the pandemic. But a study of 10- to 18-year-olds in 47 pediatric emergency departments, published Friday in JAMA Network Open, found that drug- and alcohol-related visits increased during the pandemic, and young people with chronic health conditions were particularly vulnerable. Youths with chronic conditions had nine times more ED visits for substance use than those without during the pandemic. Those with complex chronic conditions had four times as many visits.
Another study also published Friday in JAMA Network Open assessed disparities in alcohol and drug screenings of injured teens in 121 pediatric trauma centers. Rates of both were disproportionately higher among Black, Hispanic, American-Indian teens, girls, and those with Medicaid or who are uninsured. It's potentially a problem of clinician bias, the authors write. But screening certain populations less isn't the answer — substance use is a leading cause of death for adolescents.
Authors from both studies highlighted the need for more standardized, universal screening protocols.
first opinion
What a revolution in funding mental health care could look like
In five years, the mental health treatment landscape will look radically different. So says Miranda Wolpert, director of mental health at the charitable trust Wellcome. It can be tough to find funding for innovations in mental health care. But innovative financing mechanisms, like philanthropic-public-private partnerships could be the answer, Wolpert argues in a First Opinion essay.
In South Africa, one partnership is helping to secure mental health checks for new mothers. In California, a commission implemented a 1% income tax on wealthy residents to pay for mental health services. Read more from Wolpert about what change could look like.
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