Mask Use During COVID-19: A Social-Ecological Analysis.

Publication/Presentation Date

3-1-2021

Abstract

To limit the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued recommendations that individuals wear face masks in public. Despite these recommendations, the individual decision to adhere and wear a mask may not be a simple decision. In this article, we examine the decision to wear a mask from a social-ecological perspective. Through critical analysis of societal, interpersonal and community, and intrapersonal influences, it is clear that the decision to wear a mask is multifaceted and influenced by constructs including public health recommendations and government mandates, racism and cultural norms, geography, household income, age, and personal attitudes. Understanding the multifactorial influences on mask wearing during COVID-19 is crucial for informing the creation and distribution of inclusive public health messaging regarding mask wearing now in the midst of an unprecedented health crisis, and in future unforeseen public health emergencies.

Volume

22

Issue

2

First Page

152

Last Page

155

ISSN

1524-8399

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

33527852

Department(s)

Department of Family Medicine

Document Type

Article

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