Emergency department visits related to cannabis increased among children, teenagers, and young adults in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
According to ABC, the findings highlight the need for increased awareness and prevention strategies to address the rising trend of cannabis use among young individuals.
The CDC analyzed data from various emergency departments across the country and compared it to a baseline from 2019.
The study focused on individuals under the age of 25 and revealed significant increases in cannabis-related visits, particularly among children aged 10 and younger, as well as adolescents between the ages of 11 and 14. There was also an increase observed among older teens and young adults aged 15 to 24, although cannabis is legal in several states for adults aged 21 and older.
Children and Teens Hit Hardest: Alarming Increase in Cannabis-Related ED Visits
The study found that the average number of weekly cannabis-related emergency department visits for children aged 10 and under ranged from 30.4 to 71.5 per 10,000 visits, compared to an average of 18.7 to 23.2 visits prior to the pandemic. Notably, the highest number of visits in this age group occurred during the summer of 2022, with a decline during the latter half of the 2020-2021 school year before increasing again.
For individuals aged 11 to 14, the average number of weekly visits ranged from 69.8 to 209.3, compared to a pre-pandemic range of 90.5 to 138.5. The peak in visits for this age group was observed during the second half of the 2021-2022 school year.
While rates of cannabis-related emergency department visits among individuals aged 15 to 24 were elevated from 2020 to the summer of 2021, they eventually returned to baseline. This age group accounted for the majority of visits during the study period, although they did not experience statistically significant increases prior to the pandemic.
Urgent Need for Intervention: Cannabis-Related ED Visits Reach Alarming Levels
The report did not delve into the specific reasons behind the increase in emergency department visits, suggesting that different factors could be driving the trend among different age groups. However, the National Institute on Drug Abuse at the National Institutes of Health released a separate report indicating that young people's perception of the risks associated with cannabis use has declined in recent years.
In light of these findings, the authors of the CDC report recommend improving clinicians' awareness of rising cannabis-related emergency department visits to aid in early diagnosis and intervention. They also emphasize the importance of educating adults on safe cannabis storage practices, enhancing youths' coping and problem-solving skills through evidence-based prevention programs, and modifying cannabis packaging to make it less appealing to young individuals.
The increase in cannabis-related emergency department visits among children, teenagers, and young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic raises concerns about the potential negative impacts of cannabis use on this vulnerable population. By implementing targeted prevention strategies and increasing awareness among healthcare providers, policymakers, and the general public, it is hoped that the trend can be addressed effectively, safeguarding the health and well-being of young individuals in the United States.
