What topics does this cannabis study cover?

This study covers research on: Pain, Sleep, Mental Health, Anxiety, Inflammation.

Where was this research published?

Published in Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities on January 9, 2026.

Pain Sleep Mental Health Anxiety Inflammation

Cannabis Use Linked to Higher Symptom Burden in Minority Men

Q: What did this research study find?

**Cannabis use was significantly associated with the highest symptom severity profile** (OR = 1.45 vs. lowest group; OR = 1.56 vs. moderate group), suggesting a meaningful link between *cannabis use* and greater symptom burden.

Symptom Severity Profiles and their Associated Factors in Minoritized Men with Chronic Conditions.

Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities • January 9, 2026 • Moderately Relevant

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AI Summary

This study examined symptom severity profiles among 1,982 non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic men aged 40 and older living with chronic conditions. Using a statistical method called latent profile analysis (LPA), researchers identified three distinct groups: a lowest severity group (63.4%), a moderate severity group (13.9%), and a highest severity group (22.7%). The five symptoms tracked were fatigue, pain, shortness of breath, sleep disturbance, and depression — all of which can significantly impact daily quality of life.

Men in the highest symptom severity group shared several risk factors compared to those in the lowest group: they were younger, had lower incomes, carried more comorbidities, and took more medications. Critically for cannabis research, current cannabis use was associated with being in the highest symptom severity profile (OR = 1.45, p = 0.011 vs. lowest group; OR = 1.56, p = 0.017 vs. moderate group). This association persisted even after accounting for other factors. However, it is important to note that this is a cross-sectional study — meaning it cannot determine whether cannabis use worsens symptoms, or whether people with more severe symptoms are more likely to turn to cannabis for relief.

The findings carry meaningful implications for both healthcare providers and cannabis users. The study suggests that cannabis use, alongside tobacco use and social disconnectedness, may be a modifiable behavioral risk factor linked to worse symptom burden in this underserved population. Rather than establishing cannabis as harmful, this research underscores the need for targeted, culturally responsive care that addresses the full picture of why minoritized men with chronic conditions may be self-medicating — and whether they are getting adequate symptom management through formal healthcare channels.

💡 Key Findings

Cannabis use was significantly associated with the highest symptom severity profile (OR = 1.45 vs. lowest group; OR = 1.56 vs. moderate group), suggesting a meaningful link between cannabis use and greater symptom burden.

Good

65%

22.7% of minoritized men with chronic conditions fell into the highest symptom severity category, experiencing elevated levels of fatigue, pain, shortness of breath, sleep disturbance, and depression simultaneously.

High

82%

The study is cross-sectional, so causality cannot be determined — men may be using cannabis because of severe symptoms rather than cannabis causing symptom worsening.

High

90%

Poorer self-management efficacy and social disconnectedness were also strongly associated with high symptom severity, suggesting cannabis use exists within a broader context of psychosocial vulnerability.

Good

75%

Both cannabis and tobacco use were identified as modifiable behavioral risk factors, making them potential targets for clinical intervention in this underserved population.

Good

70%

📄 Original Abstract

Individuals with chronic conditions have persistent, co-occurring symptoms affecting quality of life. Understanding symptom severity susceptibilities is critical for early risk identification, but gaps remain among racial and ethnic minority men with chronic conditions. As such, this study identifies symptom severity profiles in non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic men based on five common symptoms (fatigue, pain, shortness of breath, sleep disturbance, depression) and its associated demographic, clinical, and modifiable sociobehavioral risk factors. Online survey data from 1,982 men aged 40 and older with chronic conditions was analyzed using latent profile analysis (LPA) to identify symptom severity profiles. LPA revealed three symptom severity profiles: lowest (63.4%); moderate (13.9%); and highest (22.7%). Multinomial and binary logistic regressions were used to analyze demographic, clinical, social, and behavioral factors associated with symptom severity profiles. Compared to men in the lowest symptom severity profile, men in the highest symptom severity profile were younger (OR = 0.98, p < 0.001), had lower incomes (OR = 0.95, p = 0.028), had more comorbidities (OR = 1.92, P = 0.001), had more medications (OR = 1.09, P = 0.012), reported current tobacco (OR = 1.55, P < 0.001) or cannabis (OR = 1.45, P = 0.011) use, experienced more social disconnectedness (OR = 1.34, P < 0.001), and had poorer self-management efficacy (OR = 0.93, P < 0.001). Compared to men in the moderate profile, men in the highest profile had lower education (OR = 0.53, P = 0.002), more comorbidities (OR = 1.77, P = 0.018), higher medication use (OR = 1.11 P = 0.009), and increased cannabis use (OR = 1.56, P = 0.017). Findings highlight diverse symptom experiences and key factors that can be targeted in prevention and treatment strategies to reduce symptom severity within these subpopulations.

Paper Type

📄 Research

Publication

Journal: Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities
Published: January 9, 2026
PMID: 41511741
DOI: 10.1007/s40615-025-02834-7

Authors (7)

Moka Yoo-Jeong School of Nursing, Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA. m.yoo-jeong@northeastern.edu.
Caroline D Bergeron LIFE Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
Ashley L Merianos School of Human Services, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Marcia G Ory University Distinguished Professor, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
Gang Han Center for Community Health and Aging, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
+2 more authors