ANN ARBOR—Teens in disadvantaged neighborhoods are more likely to smoke, but it depends on whether they live in rural or urban areas. A new University of Michigan study highlights a distinct rural-urban gap in adolescent health. It reports that the link between neighborhood disadvantage and cigarette use appears only in rural areas. Teens in poor… Continue reading Rural-urban divide: Neighborhood conditions shape teen smoking
News Tag: Youth
Lockable phone pouches in schools improve student well-being over time, not test scores or bullying
ANN ARBOR—A popular device for restricting cell phone use in middle and high schools is effective at achieving that aim, leading to short-term disruption but ultimately positive effects on student well-being, new research finds. The U.S. study conducted by a University of Michigan researcher and co-authors further reveals the restriction—lockable phone pouches—shows no impact on test scores,… Continue reading Lockable phone pouches in schools improve student well-being over time, not test scores or bullying
Missing rebound: Youth drug use defies expectations, continues historic decline
ANN ARBOR—Adolescent drug use continued to drop in 2024, building on and extending the historically large decreases that occurred during the pandemic onset in 2020. “I expected adolescent drug use would rebound at least partially after the large declines that took place during the pandemic onset in 2020, which were among the largest ever recorded,”… Continue reading Missing rebound: Youth drug use defies expectations, continues historic decline
Cannabis, hallucinogen use among adults still at historic highs
Vaping among younger adults and binge-drinking among mid-life adults also maintained record-high levels, NIH-supported study shows ANN ARBOR—The percentages of adults using cannabis and hallucinogens over the past year stayed at historically high levels in 2023, according to the latest findings from the University of Michigan’s Monitoring the Future survey. The results show that the… Continue reading Cannabis, hallucinogen use among adults still at historic highs
Delta-8-THC use reported by 11% of 12th graders
Use of the psychoactive cannabis product is higher in states without existing delta-8 regulations or cannabis legalization, NIH-funded study finds. ANN ARBOR—The first ever national estimates of teen delta-8 use indicate that 11% of 12th grade students across the United States used it in the past year. This information comes from the Monitoring the Future… Continue reading Delta-8-THC use reported by 11% of 12th graders
Spelman students chosen for the Youth Policy Lab’s summer policy research experience
This summer, four outstanding undergraduate students from Spelman College will participate in the University of Michigan’s Applied Social Policy Internship and Research Experience (ASPIRE)—a seven-week summer program run by the Youth Policy Lab (YPL) at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and the Institute for Social Research. The applied research experience will help… Continue reading Spelman students chosen for the Youth Policy Lab’s summer policy research experience
U-M Youth Policy Lab to evaluate state child welfare and safety program
Contact: Daniel Rivkin, [email protected] Fernanda Pires, [email protected] ANN ARBOR—In Michigan, 140,000 cases of suspected child abuse or neglect are investigated each year—with many of these youth ending up in foster care, where they can be especially vulnerable to long-term difficulties. In an effort to reduce child maltreatment recidivism and foster care placement, the University of… Continue reading U-M Youth Policy Lab to evaluate state child welfare and safety program
Research team receives grant to create digital vaccine card
Contact: Jon Meerdink ([email protected]) ANN ARBOR — The University of Michigan Center for Global Health Equity has awarded $1.9 million in grant funding to two research teams working to advance vaccine equity around the world. One of the teams includes Emily Treleaven, who also holds an appointment as a Research Assistant Professor at the Institute… Continue reading Research team receives grant to create digital vaccine card
High-intensity drinking escalates among teens within two years of first drink
Contact: Jared Wadley, 734-834-77109, [email protected] ANN ARBOR—For some teenagers, heavy drinking begins well before they accept their high school diploma, according to a new University of Michigan study. The average time of escalation from first drink to high-intensity drinking (eight or more drinks in a row for women; 10 or more drinks in a row… Continue reading High-intensity drinking escalates among teens within two years of first drink
Nicotine vaping now one of the top forms of substance use among teens
Contact: Bernie DeGroat, [email protected] ANN ARBOR—Nicotine vaping is one of the most common types of substance use for teenagers in 2022, according to results from a national study released today. Among 8th grade students, 7% vaped nicotine in the past 30 days in 2022, compared to 6% who used alcohol and 5% who used cannabis.… Continue reading Nicotine vaping now one of the top forms of substance use among teens