As our healthcare systems begin to shift to address the unprecedented circumstances caused by the global pandemic of coronavirus (COVID-19), public health, behavioral health and health care professionals have been particularly on alert by the novel coronavirus that poses higher risk to the communities and individuals we serve.

At NBHN we are trying to be responsive to your developing needs around COVID-19 and your clients, particularly around reducing the risk to those with behavioral health conditions that smoke. Please let us know any way we can support your ongoing efforts by emailing samarat@thenationalcouncil.org

Background. According to the World Health Organization, coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV), however the coronavirus strain being transmitted at present was discovered in 2019 and has not previously been identified. 1 Although the virus may start with a fever with or without associated respiratory symptoms, various degrees of respiratory abnormalities develop as the disease progresses, with severe cases requiring oxygenation as part of the treatment. 2 As a result, individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as lung cancer or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, are more vulnerable to the effects of coronavirus. In addition, there is a growing body of evidence that suggests current use of tobacco products, such as cigarettes or vapes, are risk factors contributing to disease progression and higher mortality. 3,4,5 Individuals with behavioral health conditions who smoke also may fall into a greater category of risk (beyond co-occurring chronic condition risks) as fear and anxiety, as well as increased social isolation may cause increased use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs as a response to stressful circumstances. With new information and misinformation unfolding daily, behavioral health practitioners, tobacco control experts and individuals who smoke need to be vigilant in keeping up with the best in evidence-based practice, policy, and research.

Below, you’ll find a digest of available resources and information related to coronavirus (COVID-19) and its implications for individuals who use tobacco.

News Articles & Blog Posts

 General Resources & Information

Webinars

Infographics & Campaigns

COVID-19 Behavioral Health Resources by State

Alabama Hawaii Massachusetts New Mexico South Dakota
Alaska Idaho Michigan New York Tennessee
Arizona Illinois Minnesota North Carolina Texas
Arkansas Indiana Mississippi North Dakota Utah
California Iowa Missouri Ohio Vermont
Colorado Kansas Montana Oklahoma Virginia
Connecticut Kentucky Nebraska Oregon Washington
Delaware Louisiana Nevada Pennsylvania West Virginia
Florida Maine New Hampshire Rhode Island Wisconsin
Georgia Maryland New Jersey South Carolina Wyoming


Research

Related Policies & Protocols

Sources

  1. World Health Organization Health Topics: Coronavirus
  2. Pulmonary Pathology of Early-Phase 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pneumonia in Two Patients With Lung Cancer (Tian S. et al., 2020, Journal of Thoracic Oncology, Volume 0, Issue 0)
  3. National Institute on Drug Abuse COVID-19: Potential Implications for Individuals with Substance Use Disorders
  4. Characteristics of and Important Lessons From the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak in China: Summary of a Report of 72314 Cases From the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Zunyou W., McGoogan J., 2020, JAMA,.doi:10.1001/jama.2020.2648)
  5. Analysis of factors associated with disease outcomes in patients with 2019 novel coronavirus disease. (Liu W. et al., 2020, Chinese Medical Journal, Volume Publish Ahead of Print – Issue -doi: 10.1097/CM9.0000000000000775)

 

 

 

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