Tobacco Use, Dependence, and Age of Initiation among Youths with Cognitive Disability.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the prevalence of tobacco use by product type among youths with cognitive disability; the prevalence of tobacco dependence among youths with cognitive disability; and the relationship between age of tobacco use initiation and cognitive disability. STUDY DESIGN: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from the 2019 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS). Participants were a nationally representative sample of 19 018 students in grades 6-12. Estimates were calculated for ever use, current use, age of tobacco use initiation, and tobacco dependence. Associations between use patterns and cognitive disability status were examined using bivariate analyses and multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Compared with youths without cognitive disability, youths with cognitive disability had significantly greater odds of ever using any tobacco product (aOR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.31-1.70), currently using any tobacco product (aOR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.26-1.58), and currently using electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), cigarettes, cigars, hookahs, roll-your-own cigarettes, and heated tobacco products, specifically. They had higher prevalence and odds of reporting younger age of tobacco use initiation (aOR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.10-1.43). Higher prevalence and odds of tobacco dependence were also observed among youths with cognitive disability compared with youths without cognitive disability (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings reinforce the importance of developing early primary prevention efforts to reduce or delay tobacco use among adolescents with cognitive disability. They also suggest the need to address co-occurring disorders during tobacco cessation programs with this high-risk group.

Volunteering among youth with disabilities: a population-based study.

PURPOSE: The benefits of volunteering among youth are well documented. However, research is limited on volunteering among youth with disabilities. This study examined prevalence and associations of volunteering among youth with disabilities. METHODS: We analyzed data from the 2016-2018 National Survey of Children's Health (n= 42 204). Prevalence estimates were calculated for sociodemographic and household factors, volunteering, and functional limitations. Bivariate and multivariable associations between participation in volunteering activities and variables of interest were assessed. RESULTS: Youth with disabilities had lower prevalence of volunteering compared to youth without disabilities (48.4% vs. 55.6%). Youth with hearing and vision impairments had the lowest prevalence of volunteering (2.1% and 2.5%, respectively). Correlates of volunteering included health status (adjusted odds ratios (aOR)=1.81; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13-2.91), sex, and age. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found low prevalence of volunteering among youth with disabilities. Since youth with disabilities face unique barriers to social inclusion, it is important to identify and reduce the barriers to participation among this group. Volunteer opportunities in the community should be designed to be both environmentally and programmatically accessible to youth with disabilities. These efforts should include accommodations and other support so that participants can fully experience all of the benefits of volunteering.Implications for rehabilitationOur multiyear nationally representative study found low prevalence of volunteering among youth with disabilities, particularly those with hearing and vision impairments.Since youth with disabilities face unique barriers to social inclusion, it is important to identify and reduce the barriers to participation among this group.Our findings support the need for environmentally and programmatically accessible volunteering opportunities for youth with disabilities.These efforts should include accommodations and other support so that participants can fully experience all of the benefits of volunteering.

Disparities in illicit drug use and disability status among a nationally representative sample of U.S. college students.

BACKGROUND: The number of students with disabilities attending postsecondary institutions is increasing. However, research on substance use among this population is limited. OBJECTIVE: This study examined disparities in the prevalence of illicit drug use and drug use disorders among college students with disabilities and their counterparts without disabilities. METHODS: Data from the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health were analyzed. We estimated prevalence and odds of disability, illicit drug use, and illicit drug dependence or abuse in a subsample of college students (n = 6,189). RESULTS: A majority of college students reporting a disability had a cognitive limitation. Students with any disability had a higher prevalence of illicit drug use and significantly higher odds of ever use of illicit drugs (AOR = 1.47; 95% CI 1.20-1.79). Compared to their peers with no disabilities, they were more likely to have misused any psychotherapeutic in the past year (AOR = 1.38; 95% CI 1.08-1.76), and had nearly twice the odds of misusing prescription pain relievers in the past month (AOR = 1.97; 95% CI 1.11-3.49). Additionally, students with disabilities had three times the odds of meeting criteria for past-year dependence or abuse of any illicit drug (AOR = 3.01; 95% CI 2.06-4.40). CONCLUSION: This study documented a higher prevalence of drug use and drug use disorders among college students with disabilities compared to their nondisabled peers. Understanding the risk factors for substance use in this population is critical for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies.