Each issue, we will look at some of the most recent research and studies. In our inaugural issue, we present important studies on the health effects of bullying on children and youth, uncertainty about marijuana laws among teen and adults in Washington state, and the tripling of e-cigarette use among middle and high school students in the past year.
Promoting Optimal Development: Screening for Behavioral and Emotional Problems
Behavioral and emotional problems and concerns in children and adolescents are not being reliably identified or treated in the U.S. health system. This clinical report focuses on the need to increase behavioral screening, and offers potential changes in practice and the health system, as well as the research needed to accomplish this. Highlighted and discussed are the many factors at the level of the pediatric practice, health system, and society contributing to these behavioral and emotional problems.
Bullying Gets Under Your Skin: The Health Effects of Bullying on Children and Youth
Existing research shows that children who are bullied are more likely than their peers to develop mental and physical health problems. Now, new neurobiological research shows the negative effects of bullying on the physical health, mental health, and overall well-being of children and youth.
A National Institute on Drug Abuse-funded study showed that while parents in the state of Washington are discussing with their children the legalization of recreational marijuana use among adults, they are unsure what is legal or illegal under the new laws. The study showed that many parents and teens do not know the laws surrounding the age limit for marijuana use, how much marijuana can be possessed, or that homegrown marijuana is illegal. The findings support the need for improved educational outreach about the law, as well as prevention efforts.
Enhancing Pediatric Mental Health Care: Strategies for Preparing a Primary Care Practice
In 2004, the American Academy of Pediatrics Board of Directors formed the “Task Force on Mental Health” and charged it with developing strategies to improve the quality of child and adolescent mental health services in primary care. This report offers strategies for preparing the primary care practice itself for provision of enhanced mental health care services. The task force proposes incrementally applying chronic care principles to the care of children with mental health and substance abuse problems as primary care clinicians apply them to the care of children with chronic medical conditions such as asthma.
E-Cigarette Use Triples Among Middle and High School Students in Just 1 Year
Findings from the 2014 National Youth Tobacco Survey show that e-cigarette use among middle and high school students tripled from 2013 to 2014.
CDC conducted the first national study which analyzes the use of behavioral therapy, medication, and dietary supplements as treatments for children, ages 4–17, with ADHD.
