All posts by sphays@illinois.edu

Vermont SEOW releases updated report on marijuana use

Marijuana Regulation in Vermont: 2017 Literature Review Update

The “Health Impact Assessment:Marijuana Regulation in Vermont”(HIA) was a comprehensive stakeholder process that included a literature review of research published between 2009 to August 2015. The stakeholders identified 180 articles that addressed the effects of marijuana use across several physical, mental, and social health domains. In an effort to update that review, the Health Department searched peer-reviewed research studies and literature reviews/meta-analyses published between August 2015 and January 2017 and identified an additional 180 articles pertinent to the topic.This update to the HIA supports the conclusions from the original work: early and persistent use of marijuana can cause long-term adverse effects across several health domains. Of particular concern is the robust relationship between early use and the development of psychotic symptoms especially among those who consume very high potency marijuana.

The PDF report can be found here:

http://www.healthvermont.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2017/02/ADAP_HIA%20Update.pdf

IDPH releases Health Alert documenting severe respiratory illnesses following vaping.

Severe Respiratory Illnesses Following Vaping 

Severe respiratory illnesses have been seen in adolescents in Wisconsin and Illinois who have reported vaping in the weeks and months prior to onset of illness.

•The Illinois Department of Public Health is requesting that health care providers who are seeing patients with suspected serious respiratory illness and who vape report these to their local health department as soon as possible. If vaping fluid commonly used by the patient is available ask that it be set aside (not used) in case it is needed for testing.

The full Health Alert is available here:

20190802_IDPH_Health Alert_resp ill vaping

Background:  More than 10 cases of severe pulmonary disease have been reported in adolescents in Wisconsin, primarily in southeastern Wisconsin in the counties of Milwaukee, Waukesha and Winnebago. Three suspect cases have been identified in Illinois (Kane and Cook counties). Information on products used will be collected to try and identify a particular source.

CPRD releases report on Tobacco and Vaping

CPRD has released another new white paper report. This one on youth tobacco and vaping and based on the Illinois Youth Survey from the Spring of 2018. The report provides information on tobacco and vaping use patterns, including where youth get their tobacco and vaping products, young person’s perceptions about tobacco and vaping and about peer use of tobacco and vaping products.

The report can be found HERE.