This qualitative study explored how racial and ethnic discrimination, substance-use stigma and gender bias shaped pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care among people of color with substance use disorder in Massachusetts. Peer interviewers conducted semi-structured interviews with 23 participants, and researchers analyzed recurring themes in their experiences.
Participants described heightened scrutiny and mistrust from healthcare professionals and treatment programs, a greater need to advocate for themselves, and overlapping forms of discrimination associated with race, pregnancy and substance use disorder. Reported consequences included barriers to addiction treatment, difficulties obtaining appropriate postpartum pain management and concerns about child protective services involvement and custody. The authors identify opportunities to improve equitable care through individualized pain management, respectful contraceptive counseling and more appropriate use of toxicology testing.
Original summary for clinical review. Read the published abstract.
