This retrospective cohort study examined racial and ethnic differences in the use and continuation of buprenorphine and methadone among 66,550 Medicaid-enrolled women ages 18–45 with opioid use disorder across multiple U.S. states. Researchers analyzed claims from 2011–2016 and compared medication receipt and treatment discontinuation among racial and ethnic groups.
Overall, 23.0% received buprenorphine and 9.5% received methadone. Compared with non-Hispanic White participants, non-Hispanic Black participants were less likely to receive buprenorphine (adjusted odds ratio 0.76) and more likely to receive methadone (adjusted odds ratio 1.78). Non-Hispanic Black participants also had higher adjusted rates of discontinuation for both medications. The study did not identify significant differences in medication receipt or retention between Hispanic and non-Hispanic White participants. The authors describe these results as evidence of inequities in access to and continuity of opioid use disorder treatment.
Original summary for clinical review. Read the published study.
