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Risky behaviors amongst medical students within the United States

  • August 11, 2025
  • 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • 2100 E 71st Street Indianapolis, IN 46220

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Speaker: Guang Xu 

Our study investigates risky behaviors among U.S. medical students as coping mechanisms for academic stress. Using an anonymous Qualtrics survey based on the CDC’s 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, data was collected from 561 students across 21 states during the 2023 fall semester. Results show that first-year students engage in fewer risky behaviors compared to second-years: 9.30% vs. 26.86% overall, with specific increases in alcohol consumption (10.47% vs. 21.71%), binge drinking (5.81% vs. 16.57%), recreational drug use (2.33% vs. 14.29%), worsened diets (20.35% vs. 40.57%), mental health professional care (19.19% vs. 44.57%), and new prescription medications (7.56% vs. 24.0%). Additionally, the percentage of students without diagnosed psychiatric disorders decreases from 95.93% in first years to 62.32% in fourth years. The study concludes that risky behaviors escalate as students progress through medical school and suggests that schools implement campaigns to highlight the dangers of substance use, potentially reducing these coping strategies.

Guang Xu, PhD, MPH, is an associated professor and course director of biostatistics, epidemiology, and public health at the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Marian University. Guang has been a mentor and a committee member for graduate students with biostats and public health focus. Guang also serves as the data analyst and/or Co-PI for colleagues as well as collaborators outside Marian University. Dr. Xu has published multiple peer-reviewed papers on public health, infectious diseases, immunology, and pharmacology. Dr. Xu has been invited as the reviewer and editor for multiple peer-reviewed journals including Emerging Infectious Diseases from the CDC. Guang was elected as the chair of statistics section and co-chair of the mentoring committee and panelist for the epidemiology at American Public Health Association.

Program: Risky behaviors amongst medical students within the United States

Speaker: Guang Xu, PhD, MPH, Associate Professor, course director – biostatistics, epidemiology,

and public health, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Marian University

Introduced By: Jeff Rasley

Attendance: NESC: 74; Zoom: 31

Guest(s): Keeter Sechrist, Michael Fletchell

Scribe: Russell Judd

Editor: Ed Nitka

Talk’s Zoom recording found at: https://www.scientechclubvideos.org/zoom/08112025.mp4

The talk today was given by Guang Xu who is Associate Professor of Public Health and Biostatistics at Marian University. Medical students face considerable pressure due to academic rigor, competition, and high expectations. The aim of the survey or study was to evaluate the mental health of medical students during their school years. A survey was created to get some answers to this question and involved 561 medical students from 21 states. 81.4% of year 1 students were bothered with some stress. Stress involved 93% of year 2 students, 96%, year 3 and 98% year 4 students.

Depression affected 16% of year 1; 49% of year 2; 75% of year3 and 87% of the 4th year students.

To cope with these stresses, students would engage is risky behavior such as using alcohol, tobacco, recreational drugs or unprotected sex. Trends of risky behavior were found to be: 9.3% first year; 26.9% the second year; 27% the third year and 29% the fourth year.

These findings show the increase in mental difficulties for medical students over 4 years. This can result in risky behavior. Lowering stress is needed; teachers can help. Selection of students who can live with some stress is a good idea. Parents could help by raising their children in such a way the children are ready for training for some tough jobs.

Guang Xu, PhD


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