Smoking Cessation as a Public Health Measure to Limit the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has already evolved into a rapidly expanding pandemic. Risk factors for COVID-19, such as cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and diabetes, are all strongly associated with smoking habits. The effects of cigarette smoking on the transmission of the virus and worsening of COVID-19 have been less addressed. Emerging data indicate that smoking history is the major determinant of worsening COVID-19 outcomes. Smoking cessation recovers airway ciliary clearance and immune function. Thus, smoking cessation awareness is strongly encouraged as a public health measure to limit the global impact of COVID-19.

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Relationship between COVID-19 and Smoking

International Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences ◽

10.26452/ijrps.v11ispl1.3795 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (SPL1) ◽

pp. 1593-1598

Author(s):

Gargi Nimbulkar ◽

Lalthangmawia ◽

Misbah Khan ◽

Lalchhandama ◽

Kumar Gaurav Chhabra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Smoking History ◽

Etiologic Factor ◽

Chronic Obstructive ◽

The Novel ◽

Medical Field ◽

Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽

Artery Disease ◽

Novel Coronavirus ◽

Relationship Of ◽

Anxiety Depression

The novel coronavirus has disrupted the normal life of each individual with masks becoming an integral part of life. Mostly every person is well informed about the precautions that need to be taken for the containment of the virus such as regular hand washing, wearing of masks in outdoors, social distancing, etc. Yet there has been little reference to the deleterious habit of smoking that can weigh heavily on one's health. This article aims to look into the connection and intricacies of smoking that may directly or indirectly affect the severity of the symptoms of COVID-19. Smoking is already a known etiologic factor for many cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), coronary artery disease, carcinoma of the lungs, etc. While COVID-19 is a virus that causes respiratory distress in severe cases, not much is known or emphasized in the medical field of its possible relationship with smoking. Our information is limited to whether the presence of smoking history in infected patients worsens the condition or there is no relationship between smoking and COVID-19. Moreover, with the introduction of lockdown as a measure to contain the virus, it substantially increases the incidence of anxiety, depression and other mental health diseases which can contribute tremendously to the relapses of smoking or convert a non-smoker to a smoker. Hence, it is imperative to look into the possible relationship of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Corona Virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and smoking.

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Management of patients with comorbidity during novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. National Consensus Statement 2020

CARDIOVASCULAR THERAPY AND PREVENTION ◽

10.15829/1728-8800-2020-2630 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 (4) ◽

pp. 2630 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

V. B. Grinevich ◽

I. V. Gubonina ◽

V. L. Doshchitsin ◽

Yu. V. Kotovskaya ◽

Yu. A. Kravchuk ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gastrointestinal Disease ◽

Multiple Organ ◽

Adverse Outcomes ◽

Chronic Obstructive ◽

The Novel ◽

Vulnerable Group ◽

Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽

Medical Facilities ◽

Coronavirus Infection ◽

Novel Coronavirus

The pandemic of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), caused by SARS‑CoV‑2, has become a challenge to healthcare systems in all countries of the world. Patients with comorbidity are the most vulnerable group with the high risk of adverse outcomes. The problem of managing these patients in context of a pandemic requires a comprehensive approach aimed both at the optimal management in self-isolated patients not visiting medical facilities, and management of comorbidities in patients with COVID-19. The presented consensus covers these two aspects of managing patients with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, gastrointestinal disease, and also pay attention to the multiple organ complications of COVID-19.

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Understanding racial differences of COPD patients with an ecological model: two large cohort studies in the US and Korea

Therapeutic Advances in Chronic Disease ◽

10.1177/2040622320982455 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

pp. 204062232098245

Author(s):

Hye Yun Park ◽

Hyun Lee ◽

Danbee Kang ◽

Hye Sook Choi ◽

Yeong Ha Ryu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Racial Differences ◽

Large Scale ◽

Ecological Model ◽

Prevalence Ratio ◽

Poor Quality ◽

Smoking History ◽

Chronic Obstructive ◽

Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽

Copd Patients ◽

The Us

Background: There are limited data about the racial difference in the characteristics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients who are treated at clinics. We aimed to compare sociodemographic and clinical characteristics between US and Korean COPD patients using large-scale nationwide COPD cohorts. Methods: We used the baseline demographic and clinical data of COPD patients aged 45 years or older with at least a 10 pack-per year smoking history from the Korean COPD Subtype Study (KOCOSS, n = 1686) cohort (2012–2018) and phase I (2008–2011) of the US Genetic Epidemiology of COPD (COPDGene) study ( n = 4477, 3461 were non-Hispanic whites [NHW], and 1016 were African Americans [AA]). Results: Compared to NHW, AA had a significantly lower adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) of cough >3 months (aPR: 0.67; 95% CI [confidence interval]: 0.60–0.75) and phlegm >3 months (aPR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.70–0.86), but higher aPR of dyspnea (modified Medical Round Council scale ⩾2) (aPR: 1.22; 95% CI: 1.15–1.29), short six-minute walk distance (<350 m) (aPR: 1.98; 95% CI: 1.81–2.14), and poor quality of life (aPR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.05–1.15). Compared to NHW, Koreans had a significantly lower aPR of cough >3 months (aPR: 0.53; 95% CI: 0.47–0.59), phlegm >3 months (aPR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.67–0.82), dyspnea (aPR: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.66–0.79), and moderate-to-severe acute exacerbation in the previous year (aPR: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.65–0.82). NHW had the highest burden related to chronic bronchitis symptoms and cardiovascular diseases related to comorbidities. Conclusion: There are substantial differences in sociodemographic characteristics, clinical presentation, and comorbidities between COPD patients from the KOCOSS and COPDGene, which might be caused by interactions between various intrapersonal, interpersonal, and environmental factors of the ecological model. Thus, a broader and more comprehensive approach would be necessary to understand the racial differences of COPD patients.

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A Failure of Political Communication Not a Failure of Bureaucracy: The Danger of Presidential Misinformation During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The American Review of Public Administration ◽

10.1177/0275074020941734 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 50 (6-7) ◽

pp. 614-620 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

William Hatcher

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Political Communication ◽

Political Polarization ◽

Medical Procedures ◽

The Novel ◽

Health Issues ◽

Social Distancing ◽

Health Related ◽

Novel Coronavirus ◽

Incorrect Information

President Trump’s communications during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic violate principles of public health, such as practicing transparency and deferring to medical experts. Moreover, the president’s communications are dangerous and misleading, and his lack of leadership during the crisis limits the nation’s response to the problem, increases political polarization around public health issues of social distancing, and spreads incorrect information about health-related policies and medical procedures. To correct the dangerous path that the nation is on, the administration needs to adopt a more expert-centered approach to the crisis, and President Trump needs to practice compassion, empathy, and transparency in his communications.

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