Cannabis Policy and Consumption: Taking into account Substitution Effects.

Background: Previous studies examining the cannabis-alcohol substitution effect have found that medical cannabis policies may result in substituting the use of cannabis in place of alcohol use. Objectives: This study adds to the literature on cannabis-alcohol substitution by analyzing the effect of decriminalization, medicinal cannabis, and adult-use legalization cannabis policies (2002-2019) on cannabis and alcohol use and substance substitution for all 50 states and the District of Columbia (N=867). Results: Results support the notion that liberalized cannabis policies can increase the prevalence of cannabis use. An adult-use legalization specific analysis yielded findings suggesting a complex and heterogenous effect of such laws on cannabis-alcohol complementation. Conclusion: Given the lack of clarity and heterogenous effects of cannabis laws, policy makers should carefully take into consideration the benefits of medical cannabis laws, along with the risks of decriminalization and adult-use legalization.

The high burden of comorbidities in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians living with chronic hepatitis B in Far North Queensland, Australia, and the implications for patient management.

BACKGROUND: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians living with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection have a significant burden of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The prevalence of comorbidities that increase the risk of HCC in this population is incompletely defined. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed in remote tropical Queensland, Australia in January 2021. All individuals living with chronic HBV in the region were identified; the prevalence of relevant comorbidities was determined by reviewing medical records. RESULTS: All 236 individuals in the cohort identified as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians; their median (interquartile range (IQR)) age was 48 (40-62) years; 120/236 (50.9%) were female. Of the 194/236 (82.2%) engaged in HBV care, 61 (31.4%) met criteria for HBV therapy and 38 (62.2%) were receiving it. However, 142/236 (60.2%) were obese, 73/236 (30.9%) were current smokers and 57/236 (24.2%) were drinking alcohol hazardously; 70/236 (29.7%) had ≥2 of these additional risk factors for HCC, only 43/236 (18.2%) had none. Among the 19 patients with confirmed cirrhosis, 9 (47%) were obese, 8 (42%) were currently-or had a history of-drinking alcohol hazardously and 5 (26.3%) were current smokers. Patients also had a median (IQR) of 3 (2-4) cardiovascular risk factors (cigarette smoking, hypertension, impaired glucose tolerance, dyslipidaemia, renal impairment/proteinuria). Only 9/236 (3.8%) did not have one of these 5 comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians living with chronic HBV in this region of remote Australia have a high engagement with HBV care and the majority of individuals eligible for antiviral therapy are receiving it. However, a significant comorbidity burden increases their risk of cirrhosis, HCC, and premature death. It is essential to integrate chronic HBV care with management of these comorbidities-rather than focusing on HBV alone-to achieve optimal health outcomes.

Anti-Asian American Hate Crimes Spike During the Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The recent high-profile cases of hate crimes in the U.S., especially those targeting Asian Americans, have raised concerns about their risk of victimization. Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, intimations-and even accusations-that the novel coronavirus is an "Asian" or "Chinese" virus have been linked to anti-Asian American hate crime, potentially leaving members of this group not only fearful of being victimized but also at risk for victimization. According to the Stop AAPI Hate Center, nearly 1900 hate crimes against Asian Americans were reported by victims, and around 69% of cases were related to verbal harassment, including being called the "Chinese Coronavirus." Yet, most of the evidence martialed on spikes in anti-Asian American hate crime during the COVID-19 pandemic has been descriptive. Using data from four U.S. cities that have large Asian American populations (New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington D.C.), this study finds that hate crime against Asian Americans increased considerably in 2020 compared with that of 2019. Specifically, hate crime against Asian Americans temporarily surged after March 16, 2020, when the blaming labels including "Kung flu" or "Chinese Virus" were used publicly. However, the significant spike after March 16, 2020, in anti-Asian American hate crime was not sustained over the follow-up time period available for analysis.

The spatial dynamics of commercial burglary during the COVID-19 lockdown in San Francisco.

Purpose: This paper investigated the impact of COVID-19 stay-at-home regulations on the spatial distribution of commercial burglary in San Francisco. Method: Geocoded commercial burglary data for 2003-2021 from San Francisco were analyzed using the Andresen Spatial Point Pattern Test to examine potential spatial movement in commercial burglary. Results: Concentrations of commercial burglary spatially shifted following the emergence of COVID-19 and the subsequent stay-at-home orders. Original hot spots experienced a relative decrease in commercial burglary, and crime spread out throughout the city. These spatial changes in commercial burglary appear to be related to variations in guardianship and criminal opportunity. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the dramatic shifts in routine activities resulting from the COVID-19 policies could disrupt spatial burglary patterns, especially burglary clustering. Law enforcement should consider the spatial dynamics of commercial burglary, as well as land use heterogeneity, to effectively respond to crime during periods of social distancing and business shutdowns.

Staying Home, Staying Safe? A Short-Term Analysis of COVID-19 on Dallas Domestic Violence.

COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on the lives of persons around the world and social scientists are just beginning to understand its consequences on human behavior. One policy that public health officials put in place to help stop the spread of the virus were stay-at-home/shelter-in-place lockdown-style orders. While designed to protect people from the coronavirus, one potential and unintended consequence of such orders could be an increase in domestic violence - including abuse of partners, elders or children. Stay-at-home orders result in perpetrators and victims being confined in close quarters for long periods of time. In this study, we use data from Dallas, Texas to examine the extent to which a local order was associated with an increase in domestic violence. Our results provide some evidence for a short-term spike in the 2 weeks after the lockdown was instituted but a decrease thereafter. We note that it is difficult to determine just how much the lockdown was the cause of this increase as the domestic violence trend was increasing prior to the order.