Disruptions to U.S. local public health’s role in population-based substance use prevention and response during COVID-19
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 sou...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2022-11-01
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| Series: | Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13011-022-00499-7 |
| _version_ | 1828093719155310592 |
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| author | Kellie Hall Francis Higgins Karla Feeser Beach Kabaye Diriba Mandy Sladky Timothy C. McCall |
| author_facet | Kellie Hall Francis Higgins Karla Feeser Beach Kabaye Diriba Mandy Sladky Timothy C. McCall |
| author_sort | Kellie Hall |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T06:47:56Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-76b4c8bd7fd34b9ea2b36c3789b4eba0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1747-597X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T06:47:56Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy |
| spelling | doaj.art-76b4c8bd7fd34b9ea2b36c3789b4eba02022-12-22T04:39:17ZengBMCSubstance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy1747-597X2022-11-011711910.1186/s13011-022-00499-7Disruptions to U.S. local public health’s role in population-based substance use prevention and response during COVID-19Kellie Hall0Francis Higgins1Karla Feeser Beach2Kabaye Diriba3Mandy Sladky4Timothy C. McCall5National Association of County and City Health OfficialsNational Association of County and City Health OfficialsMathematica Policy ResearchSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services AdministrationPublic Health – Seattle & King CountyNational Association of County and City Health OfficialsAbstract 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.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13011-022-00499-7Local public healthOverdose preventionCOVID-19 |
| spellingShingle | Kellie Hall Francis Higgins Karla Feeser Beach Kabaye Diriba Mandy Sladky Timothy C. McCall Disruptions to U.S. local public health’s role in population-based substance use prevention and response during COVID-19 Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy Local public health Overdose prevention COVID-19 |
| title | Disruptions to U.S. local public health’s role in population-based substance use prevention and response during COVID-19 |
| title_full | Disruptions to U.S. local public health’s role in population-based substance use prevention and response during COVID-19 |
| title_fullStr | Disruptions to U.S. local public health’s role in population-based substance use prevention and response during COVID-19 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Disruptions to U.S. local public health’s role in population-based substance use prevention and response during COVID-19 |
| title_short | Disruptions to U.S. local public health’s role in population-based substance use prevention and response during COVID-19 |
| title_sort | disruptions to u s local public health s role in population based substance use prevention and response during covid 19 |
| topic | Local public health Overdose prevention COVID-19 |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13011-022-00499-7 |
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