Initial experimentation with tobacco is associated with subsequent tobacco use patterns among youth in the United States.

Understanding the association between initial experimentation with a tobacco product and subsequent patterns of tobacco use among youth is important to informing prevention activities for youth in the US. We conducted an online survey from August to October 2017 among youth aged 13-18 years. The current analysis focused on respondents reporting initial experimentation with any tobacco product (n = 2,022).

Time spent outdoors and sleep normality: A preliminary investigation.

Introduction: Sleep deficiency is associated with health risks, and time outdoors is related to health benefits. This study assessed time outdoors and its association with sleep normality.

Methods: As part of a health study in Louisville, Kentucky, 735 participants completed questionnaires on their health status, behaviors, neighborhoods, and demographics in 2018-2019.

The importance of urban planning: Views of greenness and open space is reversely associated with self-reported views and depressive symptoms.

Introduction: Exposure to green spaces is beneficial to mental health in a variety of ways, ranging from stress reduction to increased attentiveness and elevated self-esteem. The impact of views of greenness, as opposed to direct exposure, has been examined, but the association between self-reported views and depressive symptoms is not known. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between views of greenness and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) score.

Sex differences in associations between receiving and sharing tobacco-related information and tobacco product use among Appalachian Youth.

Introduction: Given that Appalachian youth tobacco use rates are higher than the US national average, it is important to understand whether sex differences shape associations between receiving and sharing product information and using tobacco.

Methods: Middle and high school students in rural Appalachia (n=1038) were surveyed about tobacco-related perceptions and behaviors, including ways youth receive and share conventional tobacco-related and e-cigarette-related information. Youth were characterized as tobacco users (i.

Associations between Appalachian youth tobacco consumption and communication channel use.

Introduction: Youth tobacco use rates in Appalachia exceed the US national average, and e-cigarette use has increased. Thus, further research is needed to understand how these youth receive and share product information.

Methods: Middle and high school students in rural Appalachia were surveyed (N=1103).

Relationship between population characteristics, e-cigarette and tobacco-related perceptions, and likelihood of ever using e-cigarettes.

Introduction: Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) are a relatively new type of nicotine-containing product that has risen greatly in use within the past decade, displacing conventional tobacco products as the dominant source of nicotine exposure by many groups. Among those impacted are large sections of US youth. Though health outcomes associated with ENDS use are still being assessed, several potential harms have been noted in the extant literature.

Recruitment strategies and challenges: Lessons learned from a coal ash and children's health study.

The purpose of this paper is to describe the approaches and recruitment strategies of a study focused on the impact of coal fly ash on neurobehavioral performance among children living in proximity to coal-burning power plants. Challenges encountered with each recruitment approach are highlighted as well as solutions used to overcome those challenges and ultimately enroll children and one of their parents or guardians. To ensure participants were distributed throughout the study area, geographical information systems were used to guide recruitment and achieve the target sample size (N = 300).