Relationships Between Applied Mindfulness Practice, Chronic Pain, and Pain-Related Functioning in Veterans.

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been shown to improve chronic pain and associated conditions like depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. However, there is limited research on how veterans with chronic pain apply mindfulness skills to manage pain in daily life. This cross-sectional study examined the association between applied mindfulness practice, pain, and several pain-related conditions among 1,737 veterans with chronic pain prior to enrollment in a trial of 2 MBIs.

Cancer pain and alcohol self-medication.

Background: Cancer survivors are at increased risk of pain due to their either cancer and/or treatments. Substances like alcohol may be used to self-medicate cancer pain; however, these substances pose their own health risks that may be more pronounced for cancer survivors.

Methods: We used cross-sectional data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2012-2019 to quantify the association between cancer pain and alcohol use.

Recreational cannabis legalization and alcohol purchasing: a difference-in-differences analysis.

Background: Whether recreational cannabis legalization is associated with changes in alcohol consumption (suggesting a potential substitution or complementary relationship) is a key question as cannabis policy evolves, particularly given the adverse health and social effects of alcohol use. Relatively little research has explored this question.

Methods: This study examined the association between recreational cannabis legalization and alcohol purchasing in the USA using an interrupted time series design.

Are people aware of the link between alcohol and different types of Cancer?

Background: Alcohol consumption is causally linked to several different types of cancer, including breast, liver, and colorectal cancer. While prior studies have found low awareness of the overall alcohol-cancer link, few have examined how awareness differs for each type of cancer. Greater awareness of risks associated with alcohol use may be a key factor in reducing alcohol-related cancer incidence.

Perceptions of Violent Encounters between Police and Young Black Men across Stakeholder Groups.

Violence between police and young black men is a longstanding issue that has gained national attention in recent years due to high-profile violent encounters. We conducted 48 semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders from different groups (young black men aged 14-24 years, parents, educators, police officers, and staff in youth serving organizations). Stakeholders were asked to (1) identify causes of violent encounters between police and young black men; (2) describe police officers who serve in their communities; and (3) describe interactions between police and young black men.