Dear AJPM  reader,

As the academic year comes to a close for youth across the country, we’re reminded of the importance and impact of the school environment on adolescent health, particularly when dealing with substance use disorders. Our latest issue features some of the newest research on the cultural and environmental factors that contribute to substance use among adolescents and strategies for reducing the risk.

  • Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander, American Indian/Alaskan Native, and multiracial adolescents have higher prevalence of using illicit substances, depressed mood, and suicidal thoughts, planning, and attempts compared to non-Hispanic white adolescents.

  • E-cigarette use is more prevalent among ever and past 30-day smoking adolescents compared with never smoking adolescents. In a national survey, past 30-day e-cigarette use was reported by 54.5% of past 30-day smokers, 26.5% of ever/not past 30-day smokers, and 4.6% of never smokers. 

  • Liquor store proximity, or having a liquor store within 800 meters of home or school, at age 14 years is a significant predictor of alcohol intake at age 17 years but not at age 20 years.

We hope you enjoy these articles and the rest of our June issue .

Yours in prevention and health,


Matthew L. Boulton, MD, MPH
Editor-in-Chief

American Journal of Preventive Medicine