The New York Times (1/29, Richtel ) reports, “Teenagers who use cannabis, alcohol and nicotine are more likely to have underlying psychiatric symptoms, and worse symptoms, than their peers who are not regularly using substances, new research has found.” Investigators “found that such substances are linked to an array of symptoms and conditions, including anxiety, depression, hyperactivity and suicidal ideation.” Additionally, the research “found that the link between substance use and mental health existed even at low levels of drug and alcohol use.” The study was found in JAMA Pediatrics.

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— “The New York Times (requires login and subscription)

The AP (1/27, Shastri ) reported there are “nearly 1,400 federally designated community health centers” that provide “routine medical care, social services and, in some cases, fresh food” to about “one in 11 Americans.” These community health centers “serve as a critical safety net in every state and U.S. territory for low-income people of all ages,” but the “safety net” is “under stress,” as there has been “a 45% increase in the number of people seeking care” since 2012. On top of that, “many centers are short-staffed and struggling to compete for doctors, mental health professionals, nurses and dentists.”

Related Links:

— “Community health centers serve 1 in 11 Americans. They’re a safety net under stress,” Devi Shastri, Associated Press, January 27, 2024

HealthDay (1/26, Thompson ) reported that “a new national study of U.S. college athletes” finds “that women and men recover from sports-related head injuries at about the same pace.” Investigators found that “recovery patterns for both genders were similar on tests of brain function, concussion symptoms, mental health, and balance and reaction time.” Additionally, “there…was no significant difference in the time it took men and women to return to unrestricted participation in sports.” The findings were published in Sports Medicine.

Related Links:

— “Sports Concussion Recovery Time Similar for Men, Women,” Dennis Thompson, HealthDay, January 26, 2024

Psychiatric News (1/26) reported, “More than half of all first prescriptions for stimulant medications during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic were initiated via telemedicine, a study…has found.” Additionally, the research “suggests that telemedicine was more commonly used by psychiatrists than other health care [professionals] and was associated with greater odds of receiving follow-up care.” The study was published in Psychiatric Services.

Related Links:

— “More Than Half of New Stimulant Prescriptions at Pandemic’s Height Delivered Via Telemedicine,” Psychiatric News, January 26, 2024

Healio (1/25, Kellner) reports, “Parents of children with cancer are at increased risk for suicide attempt within the first 7 years following their child’s diagnosis, according to a population comparison study.” The data indicated that “the risk was higher with certain variables like the child being aged younger than 18 years at diagnosis…being diagnosed with highly aggressive cancer…or dying due to cancer.” The findings were published in PLOS Medicine.

Related Links:

— “Parents of children with cancer at higher risk for suicide attempt,” Sara Kellner, Healio, January 25, 2024