What We’re Reading: Teen Substance Use Trends; Physician Burnout Increasing; Employee Mental Health

Cannabis, Vape Use Increase Among US Adolescents

Alcohol, cigarette, and other substance use among US adolescents declined between 1991 and 2019, according to a study published in Substance Use & Misuse. However, cannabis and vaping use increased, especially since 2017, which the study authors believe could be related to the legalization of certain substances and pressure for social acceptance. In general, substance use was found to be higher among adolescents who spend more time in social settings with peers, especially if they do not engage much in other activities or have lower supervision, and those with jobs. According to the authors, interventions for cannabis use and vaping are urgently needed for this age group, especially for unsupervised social settings.

Most Physicians Experience Burnout

Sixty-three percent of physicians in the United States reported at least 1 symptom of burnout between the end of 2021 and beginning of 2022, according to survey results published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings. The New York Times reported that although the issue has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, it existed well before then, with 44% and 46% of physicians reporting burnout in 2017 and 2011, respectively. The survey results also demonstrated worsening work-life balance among physicians, with 30% saying they are satisfied with the balance vs 43% in 2017. Increasing burnout rates among physicians has also been linked to higher rates of alcohol abuse and suicidal ideation, increases in medical errors, and worse patient outcomes.

WHO, ILO Call for New Work-related Mental Health Measures

The World Health Organization (WHO) and International Labour Organization (ILO) are calling for new measures to address mental health concerns among people in the workforce. According to the organizations, an estimated 12 billion workdays are lost annually due to depression and anxiety, and this has cost the global economy nearly $1 trillion. They also reported worsening trends since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. In new guidelines, the WHO recommends training for managers to prevent stressful work environments and to respond to distressed employees. The ILO also has established recommendations providing legal frameworks to protect the health and safety of people who work, although only 35% of countries report having national programs the focus on work-related mental health.