Racial/Ethnic disparities in receipt of medications for opioid use disorder and treatment completion among women of reproductive age

ObjectivesLimited research has addressed racial/ethnic disparities in receiving medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and treatment outcomes. This study examined racial/ethnic differences in receiving MOUD and treatment completion among women of reproductive age with opioid use disorder (OUD).MethodsThis study utilized data from the 2010-2019 Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS). The analytic sample consisted of 209,521 women of reproductive age (18-49 years old).ResultsOverall, MOUD receipt was low for all racial/ethnic groups, with Hispanic and Black women being more likely to receive MOUD than White women. Receipt of MOUD ranged from 18.3% for White women to 21.9% for Hispanic women. Black and Hispanic women had lower odds of completing any treatment for OUD than White women. The rates of OUD treatment completion increased over time (2010 to 2019) for White and Black women, with a small decrease for Hispanic women. For all groups, treatment completion rates without MOUD were higher than those with MOUD.ConclusionsRacial/ethnic disparities exist in the receipt of any OUD treatment, receipt of MOUD, and completion of treatment. Monitoring disparities and designing programs to maximize successful receipt and completion of MOUD is necessary for improving intervention efforts for women of reproductive age.

Automated summary

This study found racial/ethnic disparities in the receipt of MOUD and treatment completion among women with OUD. Hispanic and Black women were more likely to receive MOUD, but had lower odds of completing treatment compared to White women. Monitoring and designing interventions to improve MOUD receipt and completion rates for women of reproductive age is crucial.