Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Assessing Tobacco Status in Community Health Centers

Susan A. Flocke, Nathalie Huguet, Steffani R. Bailey, Tahlia Hodes, Jean P. O’malley

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Few have studied the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on tobacco use status assessment and cessation counseling. Electronic health record data from 217 primary care clinics were examined from January 1, 2019 to July 31, 2021. Data included telehealth and in-person visits for 759,138 adult patients (aged ≥18 years). Monthly rates of tobacco assessment per 1,000 patients were calculated. From March 2020 to May 2020, tobacco assessment monthly rates declined by 50% and increased from June 2020 to May 2021 but remained 33.5% lower than pre-pandemic levels. Rates of tobacco cessation assistance changed less, but remain low. These findings are significant given the relevance of tobacco use to increased severity of COVID-19.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)161-164
Number of pages4
JournalAnnals of family medicine
Volume21
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2023

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • community health center
  • primary care
  • smoking status assessment
  • tobacco

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Family Practice

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