I will use this career development award to establish my own independent research program as an expert in the relationships between substance use and sexual risk behaviors. My training activities include: (1) further expertise in the etiology, course, sequelae, and treatment of substance use disorders, (2) the development of expertise in advanced statistics, (3) training in the effects and mechanisms of public policies on behaviors and outcomes, and (4) training in the responsible conduct of research. These training activities are closely aligned with my research aims which include planned analyses using three complementary nationally representative databases (Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health) to yield more definitive information on the relationship between substance use and sexual behaviors (Aim #1) and an examination of policies, rankings, and practices of interventions at the state level that target prevention and reduction of high-risk sexual behaviors in order to delineate specific policy implications for my research (Aim #2). My immediate career goals and the end products of my training activities include published manuscripts, presentations at national meetings, and obtaining R01 funding by the completion of K01 funding. This proposal includes an outstanding primary mentor with substantial experience training researchers in the field of risk behaviors linked with substance use, excellent co-mentors specifically targeting substance use epidemiology and advanced statistical methodologies, and high-profile consultants for key areas of the project. My research will occur at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, one of the nation's leading academic institutions with a rich history of success in basic science and clinical research.

Public Health Relevance

The proposed project will generate an improved understanding of the mechanisms by which substance use histories and relevant policies and programs influence risky sexual behaviors and outcomes, laying the groundwork for evaluating and informing public policy aimed at reducing STDs and unintended pregnancies among youth.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Research Scientist Development Award - Research & Training (K01)
Project #
1K01DA025733-01A1
Application #
7741115
Study Section
Human Development Research Subcommittee (NIDA)
Program Officer
Deeds, Bethany
Project Start
2009-09-15
Project End
2013-08-31
Budget Start
2009-09-15
Budget End
2010-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$135,505
Indirect Cost
Name
Washington University
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
068552207
City
Saint Louis
State
MO
Country
United States
Zip Code
63130
Plunk, Andrew D; Krauss, Melissa J; Syed-Mohammed, Husham et al. (2016) The Impact of the Minimum Legal Drinking Age on Alcohol-Related Chronic Disease Mortality. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 40:1761-8
Cavazos-Rehg, Patricia A; Krauss, Melissa J; Spitznagel, Edward L et al. (2015) Maternal age and risk of labor and delivery complications. Matern Child Health J 19:1202-11
Krauss, Melissa J; Cavazos-Rehg, Patricia A; Agrawal, Arpana et al. (2015) Long-term effects of minimum legal drinking age laws on marijuana and other illicit drug use in adulthood. Drug Alcohol Depend 149:173-9
Cavazos-Rehg, Patricia A; Krauss, Melissa J; Spitznagel, Edward L et al. (2015) Monitoring of non-cigarette tobacco use using Google Trends. Tob Control 24:249-55
Cavazos-Rehg, P A; Breslau, N; Hatsukami, D et al. (2014) Smoking cessation is associated with lower rates of mood/anxiety and alcohol use disorders. Psychol Med 44:2523-35
Cavazos-Rehg, Patricia A; Krauss, Melissa J; Spitznagel, Edward L et al. (2014) Differential effects of cigarette price changes on adult smoking behaviours. Tob Control 23:113-8
Grucza, Richard A; Plunk, Andrew D; Krauss, Melissa J et al. (2014) Probing the smoking-suicide association: do smoking policy interventions affect suicide risk? Nicotine Tob Res 16:1487-94
Cavazos-Rehg, Patricia; Krauss, Melissa; Grucza, Richard et al. (2014) Characterizing the followers and tweets of a marijuana-focused Twitter handle. J Med Internet Res 16:e157
Hartz, Sarah M; Pato, Carlos N; Medeiros, Helena et al. (2014) Comorbidity of severe psychotic disorders with measures of substance use. JAMA Psychiatry 71:248-54
Plunk, Andrew D; Syed-Mohammed, Husham; Cavazos-Rehg, Patricia et al. (2014) Alcohol consumption, heavy drinking, and mortality: rethinking the j-shaped curve. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 38:471-8

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