Analysis of one medical school's pain-related curricular materials reveals opportunities for a more unified perspective that includes pain as a widespread disease state (not merely a symptom) and to provide an emphasis in the curriculum consistent with pain's public health burden.

To meet graduating students' desire for increased competency in pain, pain-related curricula can and should be reorganized to include pain as a disease state and a widespread public health burden, not merely a symptom.

Rarely has substance use prevention programming targeted Asian American adolescents. Using a focus group methodology, we explored perceptions of substance use and preferences for prevention programming among 31 Asian American adolescents in New York City. Participants considered substance use common in the community. Factors contributing to substance use among Asian American adolescents (e.g., peer pressure, pressure to achieve, family factors, and community influence) were identified, and the need for prevention programs tailored for the Asian American community was highlighted. Participants discussed preferred program content, delivery settings, and recruitment and retention strategies. Despite the favorable attitude for family-based prevention programming, participants raised potential issues concerning the feasibility of such a program. Study findings facilitate understanding of Asian American adolescents’ substance use behavior and shed light on prevention program development for this underserved population.