Disruptions to U.S. local public health's role in population-based substance use prevention and response during COVID-19.
Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy
; 17(1): 73, 2022 Nov 07.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2108856
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
COVID-19 dramatically limited the scale and scope of local health department (LHD) work, redirecting resources to the response. However, the need for essential public health services-including substance use prevention-was not reduced.METHODS:
We examined six quantitative data sources, collected between 2016 and 2021, to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on LHD substance use-related services.RESULTS:
Before the pandemic, the proportion of LHDs providing some level of substance use prevention services was increasing, and many were expanding their level of provision. During the pandemic, 65% of LHDs reduced their level of substance use-related service provision, but the proportion of LHDs providing some level of services remained steady from prior to COVID-19.CONCLUSION:
We discuss policy recommendations to mitigate the risk of service disruptions during future public health emergencies, including direct and flexible funding for LHDs and federal directives declaring substance use prevention services as essential.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Substance-Related Disorders
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy
Journal subject:
Substance-Related Disorders
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
S13011-022-00499-7
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