USA: New York City, Cannabis use among Older Adults

Project #1 Description: Funded by the NIH, this research aims to utilize large-scale, national U.S. data to explore the risk factors, social determinants, and health correlates of substance use—primarily cannabis use—among vulnerable middle-aged and older adults. Under the mentorship of Dr. Livne, the student will conduct secondary data analysis using Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a comprehensive longitudinal study targeting U.S. adults ages 51 and older. Familiarity with statistical software packages such as SPSS, SAS, or equivalents is beneficial, as the student is expected to assist with portions of the data analysis. This is an excellent opportunity for exposure to epidemiological research in the field of substance use. Deliverables for this project include data analyses, interpretation of results, authoring a manuscript for peer-reviewed publications, and presentation of findings at scientific conferences.

Project #2 Description: In this study, we aim to recruit older adult cannabis users through targeted social media campaigns on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. Participants will be asked to complete a series of surveys regarding their patterns of cannabis use throughout their lifetime. Under the guidance of Dr. Livne, the student will acquire skills in managing social media backends to execute campaigns aimed at specific populations of interest. Additionally, they will gain experience in designing health surveys, performing statistical analyses, and interpreting results. This is a great opportunity to gain exposure to a growing field of research—'digital epidemiology'— which allows for the recruitment of hard-to-reach populations. The project's deliverables encompass statistical analyses, interpretation of results, authoring a manuscript for peer-reviewed publications, and presentation of findings at scientific conferences.

Student Participation: Remote or Hybrid

Number of Students: 2-3