Friday, January 17

11 a.m. via Zoom

Free

For decades, rates of cigarette smoking have steadily declined in the United States. In fact, in 2021, only about 11.5% of adults aged 18 or older smoked cigarettes, the lowest rate since 1965. This has been a crowing public health achievement in the US.  But with the advent of e-cigarettes or vapes, and also the legalization of cannabis in about half of the 50 states, rates of smoking are once again on the rise. In this session, we explore the changing landscape of smoking in the US including the prevalence and public health burden as well as special topics including marketing practices and disparate impacts on vulnerable populations.

Winter Madness: Melatonin as a Regulator of Seasonal Aggression

Tuesday, January 21

12 p.m. via Zoom

1 CEU possible, pending review. Free with or without CEUs

Seasonal aggression disorder is an emerging topic related to S.A.D as we normally think about it. Learn about physiological and cellular mechanisms underlying seasonal brain changes in aggressive and non-aggressive social behaviors, including a key role for melatonin in facilitating a “neuroendocrine switch” to alternative physiological mechanisms of aggression across the annual cycle. This research focused on Siberian hamsters, but these methods and results are being extrapolated to humans. Presenter: Dr. Kathleen Munley, PhD Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior.

Understanding the Evidence

Thursday, February 27

12:30 p.m.-2 p.m. via Zoom

$15 for 1.5 CEUs/certificates, Free if no CEUS/certificates

Learn how scientific information is produced, as well as concepts such as case-control matching, statistical significance, and the difference between association and causation. These concepts will guide our discussion of the scientific evidence around 6 kinds of commonly used substances: alcohol, benzodiazepines, cannabis, opioids, stimulants, and tobacco/nicotine. Presented by the Academy of Perinatal Harm Reduction.

• • Participants will improve their critical analysis skills and understanding of scientific research.
  • Participants will be able to discuss the science of substance use during pregnancy and lactation relating to the pregnant person, fetus, and infant.
  • Participants will be able to list harm reduction intervention strategies for 6 classes of substance use in pregnancy

CANCELLATION POLICY: If registering for the $15 CEU option, I must cancel by 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 26. After this point, NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN.