TY - JOUR
T1 - An Epidemic and a Pandemic Collide
T2 - Assessing the Feasibility of Tobacco Treatment Among Vulnerable Groups at COVID-19 Protective Lodging
AU - Ramclam, Ashley
AU - Taing, Matthew
AU - Kyburz, Bryce
AU - Williams, Teresa
AU - Casey, Kathleen
AU - Correa-Fernández, Virmarie
AU - Obasi, Ezemenari M.
AU - Leal, Isabel Martinez
AU - Chen, Tzuan A.
AU - O’Connor, Daniel P.
AU - Reitzel, Lorraine R.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 American Psychological Association
PY - 2021/12/16
Y1 - 2021/12/16
N2 - Introduction: Individuals experiencing homelessness have elevated smoking rates in addition to chronic and acute physical and mental health conditions, which may increase chances for complications associated with COVID-19 recovery. Unfortunately, there is underuse of tobacco cessation services in many agencies (e.g., substance use treatment centers, mental health treatment centers) providing care to these individuals. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the feasibility of providing tobacco cessation treatment alongside local COVID-19 emergency response efforts. Method: Taking Texas Tobacco Free (TTTF) partnered with relevant emergency response teams at 5 isolation centers (repurposed hotels) in Austin, Texas, to address tobacco use among presumed or confirmed COVID-19 positive individuals who had nowhere else to seek care and shelter. TTTF trained staff on tobacco cessation treatment; specifically, the 5A’s and use of nicotine replacement therapy. Results: Over 5 months in 2020; 170 of 379 (44.9%) isolation center residents were reached and assessed for cigarette or vape use. Smoking/vaping prevalence was 70.6%, and 41.7% of tobacco users accepted cessation treatment. Discussion: Results suggest the feasibility and potential acceptability of providing tobacco treatment services in similar care settings during local emergency response efforts, including but potentially not limited to the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, this initiates a call to action for health care providers to deliver tobacco use cessation services for typically hard-to-reach groups (e.g., individuals/families experiencing homelessness) who may have increased contact with service agencies and health providers during times of crisis. Limitations and suggestions for future implementation are also provided.
AB - Introduction: Individuals experiencing homelessness have elevated smoking rates in addition to chronic and acute physical and mental health conditions, which may increase chances for complications associated with COVID-19 recovery. Unfortunately, there is underuse of tobacco cessation services in many agencies (e.g., substance use treatment centers, mental health treatment centers) providing care to these individuals. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the feasibility of providing tobacco cessation treatment alongside local COVID-19 emergency response efforts. Method: Taking Texas Tobacco Free (TTTF) partnered with relevant emergency response teams at 5 isolation centers (repurposed hotels) in Austin, Texas, to address tobacco use among presumed or confirmed COVID-19 positive individuals who had nowhere else to seek care and shelter. TTTF trained staff on tobacco cessation treatment; specifically, the 5A’s and use of nicotine replacement therapy. Results: Over 5 months in 2020; 170 of 379 (44.9%) isolation center residents were reached and assessed for cigarette or vape use. Smoking/vaping prevalence was 70.6%, and 41.7% of tobacco users accepted cessation treatment. Discussion: Results suggest the feasibility and potential acceptability of providing tobacco treatment services in similar care settings during local emergency response efforts, including but potentially not limited to the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, this initiates a call to action for health care providers to deliver tobacco use cessation services for typically hard-to-reach groups (e.g., individuals/families experiencing homelessness) who may have increased contact with service agencies and health providers during times of crisis. Limitations and suggestions for future implementation are also provided.
KW - Behavioral health
KW - Covid-19
KW - Homelessness
KW - Pandemic
KW - Tobacco cessation
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U2 - 10.1037/fsh0000658
DO - 10.1037/fsh0000658
M3 - Article
C2 - 34914487
AN - SCOPUS:85122434104
SN - 1091-7527
VL - 40
SP - 120
EP - 125
JO - Families, Systems and Health
JF - Families, Systems and Health
IS - 1
ER -