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This study identifies new areas for risk-reduction strategies and research with regular cannabis users. Participants at a cannabis advocacy event in the Midwestern USA completed a survey including items from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Most participants (70%) reported using cannabis to treat a medical condition, though a smaller portion (28%) had a medical marijuana card. Participants reported several health risks associated with cannabis use, including driving a vehicle while high on cannabis, using cannabis laced with some other drug and having more intense experiences than they intended. Nearly one-quarter of participants indicated they did not have any health care coverage and; consequently, not being able to see a doctor when they needed to because of the cost. The findings indicate a variety of health issues in cannabis users that warrant attention from health educators and researchers. Additional research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of health-promoting interventions in this population.

As LGBT older adults continue to age, many will need some form of Long-Term Care (LTC). LTC allows the individual to live as independently and safely as possible. Because of the lack of social support systems for LGBT older adults, while aging, some LGBT individuals and organizations are concerned about future LTC. The study utilized a cross-sectional approach. Participants were 728 self-identified LGBT older adults who completed a survey on their perceptions of LTC services. The results of this study reveal that older LGBT adults view future LTC in three different ways: (1) Fear surrounding LTC, such as providers, staff, and other residents, (2) specific facilities of LTC including nursing homes and assisted living facilities, and (3) facilities of LTC that are non-clinical and deal with community or home care. To improve LTC services, the researchers recommend creating more LGBT-specific LTC options, hiring more LGBT providers, and implementing diversity training for providers and staff members. The study aims to update existing research on older LGBT adults and LTC. More quantitative and qualitative research is needed in all aspects of LGBT older adults, especially in LTC settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Assess the stage of readiness and barriers to ACP engagement among young adults in the United States utilizing the Precaution Adoption Process Model (PAPM). Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was utilized to survey U.S. adults aged 18–35 through an online marketplace workforce (N = 414). Results: Most (94.7%) had not engaged in comprehensive ACP. Young adults aged 18–29 reported higher perceived barriers scores to complete ACP than those aged 30–35. The perceived barriers score was significantly associated with stage of readiness for ACP (p =.004); those who were unaware (stage 1) or did not want to engage in ACP (stage 4) reported more barriers to ACP engagement. Conclusion: The PAPM is a useful framework for assessing barriers and tailoring programs for ACP engagement. Future research should further assess barriers for young adults to engage in ACP, particularly relating to stages of readiness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide, more than 3 million people have died from COVID-19. Each decedent represents a person who was loved, will be missed, and whose death elicited grief. COVID-19 has changed the way we die and grieve. Many people have died without family members and friends present and many of the bereft have grieved and mourned alone. Individuals and communities have experienced multiple losses within a short time while suffering from concomitant stress, anxiety, and depression. More deaths and more grief will continue in the foreseeable future. Preventive education is needed to prepare for and manage the likely increase in complicated grief. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The U.S. has the highest number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases and deaths of any nation. Deaths due to COVID-19, especially among older adults and people of color, have created an urgency for advanced care planning (ACP). Despite benefits of ACP, only one-third of U.S. adults have completed advance directives, in part due to a lack of death education. We recommend four actions to increase death education and ACP completion: (1) integrate death education into teacher preparation programs, (2) incorporate death education in undergraduate curricula, (3) provide better education in death and dying to future health professionals, and (4) educate the public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]