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Saloner B. The Overdose Crisis in the 2024 Election-Political Fights and Practical Problems. JAMA 2024:2817848. [PMID: 38648055 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2024.4997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
This Viewpoint discusses the 2024 presidential election in the context of the addiction and overdose crisis in the US, which has been a unifying challenge and a source of major ideological division in US politics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan Saloner
- Department of Health Policy & Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
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Sugarman OK, Saloner B, Richards TM, Lasser EC, Heath T, Idries S, Weiner JP, Bandara S. Association of buprenorphine retention and subsequent adverse outcomes following non-fatal overdose: An analysis using statewide linked Maryland databases. Drug Alcohol Depend 2024; 258:111281. [PMID: 38599134 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.111281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Patients receiving buprenorphine after a non-fatal overdose have lower risk of future nonfatal or fatal overdose, but less is known about the relationship between buprenorphine retention and the risk of adverse outcomes in the post-overdose year. OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship between the total number of months with an active buprenorphine prescription (retention) and the odds of an adverse outcome within the 12 months following an index non-fatal overdose. MATERIALS AND METHODS We studied a cohort of people with an index non-fatal opioid overdose in Maryland between July 2016 and December 2020 and at least one filled buprenorphine prescription in the 12-month post-overdose observation period. We used individually linked Maryland prescription drug and hospital admissions data. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine buprenorphine retention and associated odds of experiencing a second non-fatal overdose, all-cause emergency department visits, and all-cause hospitalizations. RESULTS Of 5439 people, 25% (n=1360) experienced a second non-fatal overdose, 78% had an (n=4225) emergency department visit, and 37% (n=2032) were hospitalized. With each additional month of buprenorphine, the odds of experiencing another non-fatal overdose decreased by 4.7%, all-cause emergency department visits by 5.3%, and all-cause hospitalization decreased by 3.9% (p<.0001, respectively). Buprenorphine retention for at least nine months was a critical threshold for reducing overdose risk versus shorter buprenorphine retention. CONCLUSIONS Buprenorphine retention following an index non-fatal overdose event significantly decreases the risk of future overdose, emergency department use, and hospitalization even among people already on buprenorphine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia K Sugarman
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, United States.
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, United States
| | - Thomas M Richards
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, United States; Johns Hopkins Center for Population Health IT, United States
| | - Elyse C Lasser
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, United States; Johns Hopkins Center for Population Health IT, United States
| | | | | | - Jonathan P Weiner
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, United States; Johns Hopkins Center for Population Health IT, United States
| | - Sachini Bandara
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, United States; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Mental Health, United States
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Schneider KE, Martin EM, Allen ST, Morris M, Haney K, Saloner B, Sherman SG. Volatile drug use and overdose during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Int J Drug Policy 2024; 126:104371. [PMID: 38447262 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Overdose deaths in the United States rose substantially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Disruptions to the drug supply and service provision introduced significant instability into the lives of people who use drugs (PWUD), including volatility in their drug use behaviors. METHODS Using data from a multistate survey of PWUD, we examined sociodemographic and drug use correlates of volatile drug use during COVID-19 using multivariable linear regression. In a multivariable logistic regression model, we assessed the association between volatile drug use and past month overdose adjusting for sociodemographic and other drug use characteristics. RESULTS Among participants, 52% were male, 50% were white, 29% had less than a high school education, and 25% were experiencing homelessness. Indicators of volatile drug use were prevalent: 53% wanted to use more drugs; 45% used more drugs; 43% reported different triggers for drug use, and 23% used drugs that they did not typically use. 14% experienced a past-month overdose. In adjusted models, hunger (β=0.47, 95% CI: 0.21-0.72), transactional sex (β=0.50, 95% CI: 0.06-0.94), and the number of drugs used (β=0.16, 95% CI: 0.07-0.26) were associated with increased volatile drug use. Volatile drug use was associated with increased overdose risk (aOR=1.42, 95% CI: 1.17-1.71) in the adjusted model. CONCLUSIONS Volatile drug use during the COVID-19 pandemic was common, appeared to be driven by structural vulnerability, and was associated with increased overdose risk. Addressing volatile drug use through interventions that ensure structural stability for PWUD and a safer drug supply is essential for mitigating the ongoing overdose crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin E Schneider
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Emily M Martin
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Sean T Allen
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Miles Morris
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Katherine Haney
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Susan G Sherman
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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Golberstein E, Campbell JM, Maclean JC, Harris SJ, Saloner B, Stein BD. Prescription Drug Dispensing and Patient Costs After Implementation of a No Behavioral Health Cost-Sharing Law. JAMA Health Forum 2024; 5:e240198. [PMID: 38517423 PMCID: PMC10960196 DOI: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2024.0198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Importance On January 1, 2022, New Mexico implemented a No Behavioral Cost-Sharing (NCS) law that eliminated cost-sharing for mental health and substance use disorder (MH/SUD) treatments in plans regulated by the state, potentially reducing a barrier to treatment for MH/SUDs among the commercially insured; however, the outcomes of the law are unknown. Objective To assess the association of implementation of the NCS with out-of-pocket spending for prescription for drugs primarily used to treat MH/SUDs and monthly volume of dispensed drugs. Design, Settings, and Participants This retrospective cohort study used a difference-in-differences research design to examine trends in outcomes for New Mexico state employees, a population affected by the NCS, compared with federal employees in New Mexico who were unaffected by NCS. Data were collected on prescription drugs for MH/SUDs dispensed per month between January 2021 and June 2022 for New Mexico patients with a New Mexico state employee health plan and New Mexico patients with a federal employee health plan. Data analysis occurred from December 2022 to January 2024. Exposure Enrollment in a state employee health plan or federal health plan. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcomes were mean patient out-of-pocket spending per dispensed MH/SUD prescription and the monthly volume of dispensed MH/SUD prescriptions per 1000 employees. A difference-in-differences estimation approach was used. Results The implementation of the NCS law was associated with a mean (SE) $6.37 ($0.30) reduction (corresponding to an 85.6% decrease) in mean out-of-pocket spending per dispensed MH/SUD medication (95% CI, -$7.00 to -$5.75). The association of implementation of NCS with the volume of prescriptions dispensed was not statistically significant. Conclusions and Relevance These findings suggest that the implementation of the New Mexico NCS law was successful in lowering out-of-pocket spending on prescription medications for MH/SUDs, but that there was no association of NCS with the volume of medications dispensed in the first 6 months after implementation. A key challenge is to identify policies that protect from high out-of-pocket spending while also promoting access to needed care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezra Golberstein
- Division of Health Policy and Management, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis
| | - James M. Campbell
- Division of Health Policy and Management, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis
| | - Johanna Catherine Maclean
- Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
- National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Samantha J. Harris
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
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Lyle V, Harris S, Heidari O, Boulton K, Hulsey E, Saloner B, Gibbons J. Association between high-threshold practices and buprenorphine treatment termination. Int J Drug Policy 2024; 124:104318. [PMID: 38232439 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Regular counseling and frequent drug testing are common requirements for patients with opioid use disorder in buprenorphine treatment. State policies throughout the United States often reinforce these high-threshold practices, as was the case with Michigan, USA. METHODS We sought to explore the association between counseling requirements, drug testing practices, and buprenorphine treatment termination rates through administering a survey to buprenorphine prescribers in Michigan. RESULTS In our sample of 377 prescribers, we found associations between high-threshold practices like drug testing at every clinical visit and requiring counseling and buprenorphine treatment termination rates. Relative to prescribers who randomly drug tested, drug tested at fixed intervals, or did not require any drug testing, prescribers who drug-tested patients at every visit were 38% more likely to terminate treatment. Prescribers who required counseling were 33% more likely to terminate treatment than those who did not require counseling. CONCLUSION With the elimination of the USA Drug Enforcement Administration X-waiver in December 2022, state policies need to minimize high-threshold practices that reduce buprenorphine treatment continuity and undermine an effective response to the overdose crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valencia Lyle
- Bureau of Community and Health Systems, Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, 611 W. Ottawa St, Lansing, MI 48909, USA.
| | - Samantha Harris
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Omeid Heidari
- Department of Child, Family, and Population Health Nursing, School of Nursing, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific St, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Kathryn Boulton
- Overdose Prevention Program, Vital Strategies, 100 Broadway, 4(th) Floor, New York, NY 10005, USA
| | - Eric Hulsey
- Overdose Prevention Program, Vital Strategies, 100 Broadway, 4(th) Floor, New York, NY 10005, USA
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jason Gibbons
- Department of Health Systems, Management and Policy, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Denver, 13001 E 17th Pl B119, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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Gibbons JB, Li W, Stuart EA, Saloner B. Simulated impact of mobile opioid treatment program units on increasing access to methadone for opioid use disorder. Health Serv Res 2024. [PMID: 38191857 DOI: 10.1111/1475-6773.14271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To model the potential impact of mobile methadone unit implementation in Louisiana on net medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) treatment rates. DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING We use secondary Louisiana Medicaid claims data between 2020 and 2021. STUDY DESIGN We simulate the impact of mobile methadone units in Louisiana using two approaches: (1) a "Poisson regression approach," which predicts the number of opioid use disorder (OUD) patients that might use methadone at mobile locations based on the underlying association between methadone use and proximity to a brick-and-mortar methadone clinic; (2) a "policy approach," which leverages local treatment uptake rates following the expansion of methadone coverage to Louisiana Medicaid beneficiaries in 2020 to estimate methadone use following mobile unit implementation. Models were run in cases where mobile methadone operators could choose their operation locations freely and in a separate instance where they were restricted to serving rural locations. DATA COLLECTION Our analytic sample includes 43,341 Louisiana Medicaid beneficiaries with one or more primary or secondary diagnoses for opioid dependence. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We predict that 10 new mobile methadone units in Louisiana would increase the net MOUD treatment rate in the state by 0.54-2.39 percentage points. If these mobile units delivered Methadone exclusively to rural areas, they could increase rural MOUD treatment by 8.54-13.67 percentage points. Further, roughly 20% of all beneficiaries residing in rural areas being treated with methadone would be an average of 24 miles closer to a methadone treatment provider following mobile unit implementation. CONCLUSIONS Mobile methadone units represent a promising innovation in the delivery of methadone that is likely to increase methadone use, especially in underserved rural locations. However, we find significant variation in their impact conditional on where they choose to operate, and so careful location planning will be required to maximize their benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason B Gibbons
- Department of Health Systems, Management & Policy, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Wenshu Li
- Foundation Medicine, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Stuart
- Department of Health Policy & Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Department of Health Policy & Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Sugarman OK, Li W, Saloner B. Medications For Opioid Use Disorder Increased Among Louisiana Medicaid Enrollees During Policy Reforms, 2018-21. Health Aff (Millwood) 2024; 43:46-54. [PMID: 38190602 DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2023.00715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Increasing access to medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) is a key strategy in addressing the opioid crisis. To increase MOUD access, state governments have pursued a combination of increased funding for MOUD and requirements that providers offer treatment. Louisiana has pursued multiple strategies, including a requirement that residential treatment programs offer MOUD as part of their licensure. Using Louisiana Medicaid claims data for enrollees with diagnosed OUD from the period 2018-21, we analyzed trends in MOUD between enrollees treated in residential and nonresidential settings and across demographic subgroups, and we compared trends by MOUD type. MOUD use more than tripled from 2018 to 2021 among Louisiana Medicaid enrollees diagnosed with OUD. Most of the increase in MOUD was attributable to buprenorphine use. Methadone uptake also contributed to greater MOUD use but was almost exclusively used by enrollees treated in nonresidential settings, whereas naltrexone was consistently more common in residential treatment. By 2021, differences persisted across demographic groups: MOUD use was highest among enrollees who were White, were older, had comorbidities, and lived in a metropolitan area. Policies that promote MOUD in substance use treatment programs, particularly residential programs, are critical tools for policy makers confronting a complex and unprecedented national overdose crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wenshu Li
- Wenshu Li, Foundation Medicine, Cambridge, Massachusetts
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Harris SJ, Landis RK, Li W, Stein BD, Saloner B. Utilization of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Among West Virginia Medicaid Enrollees Following Medicaid Coverage of Methadone. Subst Use Addctn J 2024; 45:91-100. [PMID: 38258853 DOI: 10.1177/29767342231208516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND West Virginia entered an institution for mental disease Section 1115 waiver with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in 2018, which allowed Medicaid to cover methadone at West Virginia's nine opioid treatment programs (OTPs) for the first time. METHODS We conducted time trend and geospatial analyses of Medicaid enrollees between 2016 and 2019 to examine medications for opioid use disorder utilization patterns following Medicaid coverage of methadone, focusing on distance to an OTP as a predictor of initiating methadone and conditional on receiving any, longer treatment duration. RESULTS Following Medicaid coverage of methadone in 2018, patients receiving methadone comprised 9.5% of all Medicaid enrollees with an opioid use disorder (OUD) diagnosis and 10.6% in 2019 (P < 0.01). In 2018, two-thirds of methadone patients either had no prior OUD diagnosis or were not previously enrolled in Medicaid in our observation period. Patients residing within 20 miles of an OTP were more likely to receive methadone (marginal effect [ME]: -0.041, P < 0.001). Similarly, patients residing in metropolitan areas were more likely to receive treatment than those residing in nonmetropolitan areas (ME: -0.019, P < 0.05). Metropolitan patients traveled an average of 15 miles to an OTP; nonmetropolitan patients traveled more than twice as far (P < 0.001). We found no significant association between distance and treatment duration. CONCLUSIONS West Virginia Medicaid's new methadone coverage was associated with an influx of new enrollees with OUD, many of whom had no previous OUD diagnosis or prior Medicaid enrollment. Methadone patients frequently traveled far distances for treatment, suggesting that the state needs additional OTPs and innovative methadone delivery models to improve availability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha J Harris
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Wenshu Li
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Brendan Saloner
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Green VR, Kennedy-Hendricks A, Saloner B, Bandara S. Substance use and treatment characteristics among pregnant and non-pregnant females, 2015-2019. Drug Alcohol Depend 2024; 254:111041. [PMID: 38043227 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.111041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In the United States (US), pregnant females who use substances face increased morbidity and mortality risks compared to non-pregnant females. This study provides a national snapshot of substance use and treatment characteristics among US reproductive-aged females, including those who are pregnant. METHODS Our sample included females aged 15-44 years (n=97,830) from the 2015-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data. We calculated weighted percentages of past-month alcohol or drug use and past-year substance use disorder (SUD), stratified by pregnancy status. We also calculated weighted percentages of past-year treatment setting and payer. Pearson chi-square tests were conducted to determine if percentages were statistically significantly different. RESULTS Compared to non-pregnant females, pregnant females had lower prevalence of past-month illicit drug use excluding cannabis (1.6% vs. 4.3%, p<0.01), cannabis use (5.3% vs. 12.5%, p<0.01), binge drinking (4.5% vs. 29.3%, p<0.01) and past-year SUD (7.1 vs. 8.8%, p<0.01). Less than 13% of females with SUD received treatment regardless of pregnancy status, but treatment use was higher among pregnant females compared to non-pregnant females (12.8% vs. 10.5%). However, there were no statistically significant differences in past-year treatment use, setting, or treatment payer. DISCUSSION The prevalence of substance use and SUD was lower among pregnant females compared to non-pregnant females in 2015-2019. Low uptake of substance use treatment suggests that barriers exist to treatment-seeking among reproductive-aged women. Further exploration of stigma, payment, and access to treatment, and how they differ by pregnancy status, is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria R Green
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Alene Kennedy-Hendricks
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Sachini Bandara
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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Turnbull AE, Bouhassira DC, Saloner B. Incapacitated and Incarcerated-Double Barriers to Care. JAMA Intern Med 2024; 184:35-36. [PMID: 38048105 DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.6067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alison E Turnbull
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Epidemiology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Diana C Bouhassira
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
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Song M, Desai IK, Meyer A, Shah H, Saloner B, Sherman SG, Allen ST, Tomko C, Schneider KE, Krawczyk N, Whaley S, Churchill J, Harris SJ. Exploring trauma and wellbeing of people who use drugs after witnessing overdose: A qualitative study. Int J Drug Policy 2023; 122:104239. [PMID: 37890394 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The national overdose crisis is often quantified by overdose deaths, but understanding the traumatic impact for those who witness and respond to overdoses can help elucidate mental health needs and opportunities for intervention for this population. Many who respond to overdoses are people who use drugs. This study adds to the literature on how people who use drugs qualitatively experience trauma resulting from witnessing and responding to overdose, through the lens of the Trauma-Informed Theory of Individual Health Behavior. METHODS We conducted 60-min semi-structured, in-depth phone interviews. Participants were recruited from six states and Washington, DC in March-April 2022. Participants included 17 individuals who witnessed overdose(s) during the COVID-19 pandemic. The interview guide was shaped by theories of trauma. The codebook was developed using a priori codes from the interview guide; inductive codes were added during content analysis. Transcripts were coded using ATLAS.ti. RESULTS A vast majority reported trauma from witnessing overdoses. Participants reported that the severity of trauma varied by contextual factors such as the closeness of the relationship to the person overdosing or whether the event was their first experience witnessing an overdose. Participants often described symptoms of trauma including rumination, guilt, and hypervigilance. Some reported normalization of witnessing overdoses due to how common overdoses were, while some acknowledged overdoses will never be "normal." The impacts of witnessing overdose on drug use behaviors varied from riskier substance use to increased motivation for treatment and safer drug use practices. CONCLUSION Recognizing the traumatic impact of witnessed overdoses is key to effectively addressing the full range of sequelae of the overdose crisis. Trauma-informed approaches should be central for service providers when they approach this subject with clients, with awareness of how normalization can reduce help-seeking behaviors and the need for psychological aftercare. We found increased motivation for behavior change after witnessing, which presents opportunity for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minna Song
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Isha K Desai
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Health Policy and Management, George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Ave, #2, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Avery Meyer
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Hridika Shah
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Susan G Sherman
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Sean T Allen
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Catherine Tomko
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Kristin E Schneider
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Noa Krawczyk
- Center for Opioid Epidemiology and Policy, Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 180 Madison Ave, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Sara Whaley
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jade Churchill
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Samantha J Harris
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615N Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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Andraka-Christou B, Golan O, Totaram R, Ohama M, Saloner B, Gordon AJ, Stein BD. Prior authorization restrictions on medications for opioid use disorder: trends in state laws from 2005 to 2019. Ann Med 2023; 55:514-520. [PMID: 36724766 PMCID: PMC9897778 DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2023.2171107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
RESEARCH OBJECTIVE Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUDs) - including methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone - are the most effective treatments for opioid use disorder (OUD). Historically, insurers have required prior authorization for MOUD, but prior authorization is often reported as a key barrier to MOUD prescribing. Some states have passed laws prohibiting MOUD prior authorization requirements. We sought to identify the frequency of MOUD prior authorization prohibitions in state laws and to categorize types of prohibitions. METHODS We searched for regulations and statutes present in all U.S. states and Washington DC between 2005 and 2019 using MOUD-related terms in Westlaw legal software. In qualitative software, we coded laws discussing MOUD prior authorization using template analysis - a mixed deductive/inductive approach. Finally, we used coded laws to identify frequencies of states with prior authorization prohibitions, including changes over time. RESULTS No states had laws prohibiting MOUD prior authorization between 2005 and 2015, with the first prohibition appearing in 2016. By 2019, fifteen states had MOUD prior authorization prohibitions. States varied significantly in their approach to prohibiting MOUD prior authorization. In 2019, it was more common for states to have MOUD prior authorization prohibitions applying to all insurers (n = 10 states) than to only Medicaid (n = 7 states) or only non-Medicaid insurers (n = 1 state). In 2019, general prior authorization prohibitions (n = 10 states) were more common than prohibitions only applicable to medications on the formulary, prohibitions only applicable to medications on the preferred drug list, prohibitions only applicable during the first 5 days of treatment, and prohibitions only applicable during the first 30 days of treatment. CONCLUSIONS The number of states with an MOUD prior authorization law prohibition increased in recent years. Such laws could help expand access to life-saving OUD treatments by making it easier for clinicians to prescribe MOUD.KEY MESSAGESNo states had MOUD prior authorization prohibitions between 2005 and 2015 in state statutes or regulations, and only one state had such a prohibition in 2016.By 2019, fifteen states had an MOUD prior authorization prohibition law.States varied significantly in their approach to prohibiting MOUD prior authorization, including with respect to the insurer type, duration of the prohibition, and applicable medication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Andraka-Christou
- School of Global Health Management and Informatics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine (Secondary Joint Appointment), University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
- CONTACT Barbara Andraka-Christou School of Global Health Management and Informatics, University of Central Florida, 525 W Livingston Street, Suite 401, Orlando, 32801FL, USA
| | - Olivia Golan
- School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Rachel Totaram
- School of Global Health Management and Informatics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Maggie Ohama
- The Cardiac and Vascular Institute, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Adam J. Gordon
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences (IDEAS) Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Program for Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge and Advocacy (PARCKA), Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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Andraka-Christou B, McAvoy E, Gordon AJ, Ohama M, Brach M, Taylor EA, Vaiana M, Saloner B, Stein BD. Urine drug testing in the context of opioid analgesic prescribing for chronic pain: a content analysis of U.S. state laws in 2022. Pain Med 2023; 24:1306-1317. [PMID: 37551941 PMCID: PMC10690857 DOI: 10.1093/pm/pnad103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In response to the opioid crisis, U.S. states have passed laws requiring urine drug testing (UDT) when opioid analgesics are prescribed for chronic pain. We sought to identify state law UDT requirements. METHODS We searched NexisUni legal database using terms related to UDT, chronic pain, and opioids. We included laws effective during spring 2022 that required UDT when opioids were prescribed for chronic pain. We performed deductive content analysis, coding laws for mandated UDT frequency, type of clinician and type of payer to whom the law applied, and circumstances under which UDT was mandated. RESULTS We found 32 laws across 13 states that met our inclusion criteria. UDT requirements varied substantially by state, including with regard to the type of clinician to whom the law applied, the mandated frequency of UDT (eg, at initiation/assessment, at least annually, more than once per year), and the circumstances in which UDT was mandated (eg, patient had substance use disorder; dosage/day threshold). DISCUSSION Relatively few states have UDT mandates associated with prescribing opioids as chronic pain treatment. When developing policy indicators for empirical studies, researchers evaluating how UDT policy affects health outcomes must consider the complexity and lack of uniformity of UDT requirements. In addition, even if states mandate UDT, it is unclear whether clinicians understand the best way to use the test results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Andraka-Christou
- School of Global Health Management & Informatics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32801, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine (Secondary Joint Appointment), University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, United States
| | - Elizabeth McAvoy
- O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, United States
| | - Adam J Gordon
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences (IDEAS) Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, United States
- Program for Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge and Advocacy (PARCKA), Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, United States
| | - Maggie Ohama
- The Cardiac and Vascular Institute, Gainesville, FL 32605, United States
| | | | - Erin A Taylor
- RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA 90401, United States
| | - Mary Vaiana
- RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA 90401, United States
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
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Feder KA, Byrne L, Miller SM, Sodder S, Saloner B. Beliefs and Attitudes about Vermont's Buprenorphine Decriminalization Law among Clinicians Who Prescribe Buprenorphine. Subst Use Misuse 2023; 59:150-153. [PMID: 37752786 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2023.2262014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND On June 1, 2021, Vermont repealed all criminal penalties for possessing 224 milligrams or less of buprenorphine. We examined the potential impact of decriminalization with a survey of Vermont clinicians who prescribed buprenorphine within the past year. METHODS All 638 Vermont clinicians with a waiver to prescribe buprenorphine were emailed the survey by Vermont Department of Health; 117 responded. We estimated the prevalence of the following four outcomes, for all responding clinicians and stratified by clinician demographics and practice characteristics: awareness of decriminalization, beliefs about the effects of decriminalization, support for decriminalization, and changes in practice resulting from decriminalization. RESULTS 72 (62%) prescribers correctly stated that Vermont does not have criminal penalties for buprenorphine possession. 107 (91%) support decriminalization. 56 (48%) believe that, because buprenorphine is decriminalized, their patients are more likely to give, sell, or trade the buprenorphine that is prescribed to them to someone else. However, only 5 providers (4%) said they now prescribe to fewer patients. CONCLUSION The great majority of Vermont clinicians who prescribe buprenorphine support its decriminalization and have not changed their prescribing practices because of decriminalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth A Feder
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Lauren Byrne
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Samantha M Miller
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Shereen Sodder
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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15
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Tilhou AS, Saloner B, DeLeire T, Chakraborty S, Dague L. Health and Healthcare Access for Essential, Nonessential, and Nonworkers During the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Occup Environ Med 2023; 65:e703-e709. [PMID: 37641177 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000002953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the study is to describe sociodemographic characteristics, healthcare access, and health status of low-income essential, nonessential, and nonworkers during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Using survey data (2020-2021) from Wisconsin Medicaid enrollees ( N = 2528), we compared sociodemographics, healthcare access, and health status between essential, nonessential, and nonworkers. RESULTS Essential workers had less consistent health insurance coverage and more problems paying medical bills than nonessential and nonworkers. They reported better health than nonessential and nonworkers. They reported fewer work-limiting conditions and less outpatient healthcare utilization than nonworkers but similar rates as nonessential workers. Essential workers reported masking less frequently than nonworkers but similar frequency to nonessential workers, and lower COVID-19 vaccine willingness than nonessential and nonworkers. CONCLUSIONS Essential workers report better health, fewer protective behaviors, and more healthcare barriers than nonessential and nonworkers. Findings indicate essential worker status may be a social determinant of health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa Shell Tilhou
- From the Department of Family Medicine, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts (A.S.T.); Department of Health Policy and Management, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland (B.S.); McCourt School of Public Policy, Georgetown University, Washington, DC (T.D.); Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas (S.C.); and Department of Public Service and Administration, The Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas (L.D.)
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Saloner B. A Chance to Modernize Health Care behind Bars - Section 1115 Medicaid Inmate Exclusion Waivers. N Engl J Med 2023; 389:1449-1451. [PMID: 37843114 DOI: 10.1056/nejmp2307641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Brendan Saloner
- From the Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore
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Heidari O, Shah H, Bhagwat A, Ahmad NJ, Whaley S, Sherman SG, Morris M, Saloner B. Changes in opioid treatment programs and harm reduction provider services during the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from 10 states. Psychol Serv 2023:2024-15613-001. [PMID: 37824245 PMCID: PMC11009379 DOI: 10.1037/ser0000805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Harm reduction and opioid treatment programs (OTPs) modified service delivery based on rapid changes to state and federal regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is little evidence on how these regulations changed the delivery of medication for opioid use disorder and harm reduction services and whether certain regulations should be made permanent. This study explores how harm reduction OTPs across the United States leveraged changes in regulations and responded to impacts of COVID-19 to continue providing services and perspectives on future legislation that regulates their practice and practice sites. The COVID Harm Reduction and Treatment programs Survey study administered a survey that included closed-ended and free-response questions to 22 sites between August 2020 and January 2021. Program demographics and responses to survey items pertaining to site and service modifications were tabulated and proportions reported. A qualitative descriptive method was used to analyze free-response questions. All (100%) surveyed providers reported the need to modify their services. The majority (68%) reported an increase or no change in client volume; 68% reported increases in naloxone services and 77% reported increases in syringe services programs. Qualitative themes included (a) flexibility in reaching clients due to regulatory changes, (b) benefits and drawbacks of telehealth, and (c) increased vulnerabilities of their clients during the pandemic. Despite difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic, harm reduction and OTP sites found that regulatory changes provided flexibility in service delivery and that they were better able to serve their clients. Future policies should bolster these sites to continue to provide low-barrier and high-quality services. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Omeid Heidari
- Department of Child, Family, and Population Health, School of Nursing, University of Washington
| | - Hridika Shah
- Department of Health, Policy, and Management, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Atharva Bhagwat
- Department of Health, Policy, and Management, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University
| | - N Jia Ahmad
- Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency, Massachusetts General Hospital
| | - Sara Whaley
- Department of Health, Policy, and Management, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Susan G Sherman
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Miles Morris
- Department of Health, Policy, and Management, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Department of Health, Policy, and Management, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University
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Gibbons JB, Harris SJ, Solomon KT, Sugarman O, Hardy C, Saloner B. Increasing overdose deaths among Black Americans: a review of the literature. Lancet Psychiatry 2023; 10:719-726. [PMID: 37236218 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(23)00119-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
In 2020, opioid overdose fatalities among Black Americans surpassed those among White Americans for the first time in US history. This Review analyses the academic literature on disparities in overdose deaths to highlight potential factors that could explain these increases in overdose deaths among Black Americans. Overall, we find that differences in structural and social determinants of health; inequality in the access, use, and continuity of substance use disorder and harm reduction services; variability in fentanyl exposure and risk; and changes in social and economic circumstances since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic are central to explaining this trend. We conclude with a discussion of opportunities for US policy reform and opportunities for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason B Gibbons
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Samantha J Harris
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Olivia Sugarman
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Carlos Hardy
- Maryland Recovery Organization Connecting Communities, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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19
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Feder KA, Harris SJ, Byrne L, Miller SM, Sodder S, Berman V, Livingston A, Edwards J, Hartman S, Sugarman OK, Shah H, Xu J, Raikes J, Gattine S, Saloner B. Attitudes and beliefs about Vermont's 2021 buprenorphine decriminalization law among residents who use illicit opioids. Drug Alcohol Depend 2023; 250:110879. [PMID: 37473698 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.110879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In July 2021, Vermont removed all criminal penalties for possessing 224mg or less of buprenorphine. METHODS Vermont residents (N=474) who used illicit opioid drugs or received treatment for opioid use disorder in the past 90 days were recruited for a mixed-methods survey on the health and criminal legal effects of decriminalization. Topics assessed included: motivations for using non-prescribed buprenorphine, awareness of and support for decriminalization, and criminal legal system experiences involving buprenorphine. We examined the frequencies of quantitative measures and qualitatively summarized themes from free-response questions. RESULTS Three-quarters of respondents (76%) reported lifetime use of non-prescribed buprenorphine. 80% supported decriminalization, but only 28% were aware buprenorphine was decriminalized in Vermont. Respondents described using non-prescribed buprenorphine to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and avoid use of other illicit drugs. 18% had been arrested while in buprenorphine, with non-White respondents significantly more likely to report such arrests (15% v 33%, p<0.001). CONCLUSION Decriminalization of buprenorphine may reduce unnecessary criminal legal system involvement, but its health impact was limited by low awareness at the time of our study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth A Feder
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Mental Health, United States.
| | - Samantha J Harris
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, United States
| | - Lauren Byrne
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, United States
| | - Samantha M Miller
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, United States
| | - Shereen Sodder
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, United States
| | - Vanessa Berman
- Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, United States
| | - Amy Livingston
- Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, United States
| | - Jessica Edwards
- Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, United States
| | - Shane Hartman
- Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, United States
| | - Olivia K Sugarman
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, United States
| | - Hridika Shah
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, United States
| | - Justin Xu
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, United States
| | - Jewyl Raikes
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, United States
| | - Sabrina Gattine
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, United States
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, United States
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Meiselbach MK, Drake C, Zhu JM, Manibusan B, Nagy D, Sorbero MJ, Saloner B, Stein BD, Polsky D. State Policy and the Breadth of Buprenorphine-Prescriber Networks in Medicaid Managed Care. Med Care Res Rev 2023; 80:423-432. [PMID: 37083043 PMCID: PMC10680055 DOI: 10.1177/10775587231167514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Provider networks in Medicaid Managed Care (MMC) play a crucial role in ensuring access to buprenorphine, a highly effective treatment for opioid use disorder. Using a difference-in-differences approach that compares network breadth across provider specialties and market segments within the same state, we investigated the association between three Medicaid policies and the breadth of MMC networks for buprenorphine prescribers: Medicaid expansion, substance use disorder (SUD) network adequacy criteria, and SUD carveouts. We found that both Medicaid expansion and SUD network adequacy criteria were associated with substantially increased breadth in buprenorphine-prescriber networks in MMC. In both cases, we found that the associations were largely driven by increases in the network breadth of primary care physician prescribers. Our findings suggest that Medicaid expansion and SUD network adequacy criteria may be effective strategies at states' disposal to improve access to buprenorphine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jane M. Zhu
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, USA
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21
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Kramer C, Song M, Sufrin CB, Eber GB, Rubenstein LS, Saloner B. Release, Reentry, and Reintegration During COVID-19: Perspectives of Individuals Recently Released from the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Health Equity 2023; 7:384-394. [PMID: 37476707 PMCID: PMC10354726 DOI: 10.1089/heq.2022.0172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic had a large negative impact on people in U.S. prisons. Expedited releases from prison were one strategy used to decrease morbidity and mortality from COVID-19. However, little is known about the reentry experiences of those being rapidly released from custody early in the pandemic. Methods We aimed to examine the perspectives of former residents in the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) regarding release, reentry, and reintegration into their respective communities. We conducted semistructured interviews with 21 recently released individuals primarily recruited through legal aid organizations between September and October 2021. Subjects were incarcerated before and during the early surge in the COVID-19 pandemic. We coded transcripts thematically with domains developed a priori in which we revised iteratively and inductively based on the data. Results Several major themes emerged. Participants reported that they needed to advocate for themselves to take advantage of the early release process. Compared with normal circumstances, they reported a lack of reentry planning and preparation before participants were released. Finally, experiences with reintegration varied but were often more challenging due to COVID-19. Discussion Residents released during COVID-19 reported many challenges with reentry that could have been mitigated by support and guidance from the BOP. Reentry is a process that should begin prelease and continues postrelease to ensure individuals have adequate structural and social supports. Health Equity Implications Inadequate reentry support has significant impacts on the health and well-being of recently released individuals and contributes to the broader context of achieving health equity for minitorized groups who are disproportionately overrepresented in prisons. Policy and practice reform is needed to address the time-sensitive, life-threatening challenges individuals face when transitioning from prison to community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Kramer
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Minna Song
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Carolyn B. Sufrin
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Gabriel B. Eber
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Leonard S. Rubenstein
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Buprenorphine is a key medication to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). Since its approval in 2002, buprenorphine access has grown markedly, spurred by major federal and state policy changes. This study characterizes buprenorphine treatment episodes during 2007 to 2018 with respect to payer, provider specialty, and patient demographics. METHODS In this observational cohort study, IQVIA Real World pharmacy claims data were used to characterize trends in buprenorphine treatment episodes across four time periods: 2007-2009, 2010-2012, 2013-2015, and 2016-2018. RESULTS In total, we identified more than 4.1 million buprenorphine treatment episodes among 2 540 710 unique individuals. The number of episodes doubled from 652 994 in 2007-2009 to 1 331 980 in 2016-2018. Our findings indicate that the payer landscape changed dramatically, with the most pronounced growth observed for Medicaid (increased from 17% of episodes in 2007-2009 to 37% of episodes in 2016-2018), accompanied by relative declines for both commercial insurance (declined from 35 to 21%) and self-pay (declined from 27 to 11%). Adult primary care providers (PCPs) were the dominant prescribers throughout the study period. The number of episodes among adults older than 55 increased more than 3-fold from 2007-2009 to 2016-2018. In contrast, youth under age 18 experienced an absolute decline in buprenorphine treatment episodes. Buprenorphine episodes increased in length from 2007-2018, particularly among adults over age 45. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate that the U.S. experienced clear growth in buprenorphine treatment-particularly for older adults and Medicaid beneficiaries-reflecting some key health policy and implementation success stories. Yet, since the prevalence of OUD and fatal overdose rate have also approximately doubled during this period, the observed growth in buprenorphine treatment did not demonstrably impact the pronounced treatment gap. To date, only a minority of individuals with OUD currently receive treatment, indicating continued need for systemic efforts to equitably improve treatment uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Adam J Gordon
- Program for Addiction Research, Clinical Care Knowledge and Advocacy (PARCKA) Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, and Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences (IDEAS) Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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Griffin BA, Cabreros I, Saloner B, Gordon AJ, Kerber R, Stein BD. Exploring the Association of State Policies and the Trajectories of Buprenorphine Prescriber Patient Caseloads. Subst Abus 2023; 44:136-145. [PMID: 37401501 PMCID: PMC10680051 DOI: 10.1177/08897077231179824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing buprenorphine access is critical to facilitating effective opioid use disorder treatment. Buprenorphine prescriber numbers have increased substantially, but most clinicians who start prescribing buprenorphine stop within a year, and most active prescribers treat very few individuals. Little research has examined state policies' association with the evolution of buprenorphine prescribing clinicians' patient caseloads. METHODS Our retrospective cohort study design derived from 2006 to 2018 national pharmacy claims identifying buprenorphine prescribers and the number of patients treated monthly. We defined persistent prescribers based on results from a k-clustering approach and were characterized by clinicians who did not quickly stop prescribing and had average monthly caseloads greater than 5 patients for much of the first 6 years after their first dispensed prescription. We examined the association between persistent prescribers (dependent variable) and Medicaid coverage of buprenorphine, prior authorization requirements, and mandated counseling policies (key predictors) that were active within the first 2 years after a prescriber's first observed dispensed buprenorphine prescription. We used multivariable logistic regression analyses and entropy balancing weights to ensure better comparability of prescribers in states that did and did not implement policies. RESULTS Medicaid coverage of buprenorphine was associated with a smaller percentage of new prescribers becoming persistent prescribers (OR = 0.72; 95% CI = 0.53, 0.97). There was no evidence that either mandatory counseling or prior authorization was associated with the odds of a clinician being a persistent prescriber with estimated ORs equal to 0.85 (95% CI = 0.63, 1.16) and 1.13 (95% CI = 0.83, 1.55), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Compared to states without coverage, states with Medicaid coverage for buprenorphine had a smaller percentage of new prescribers become persistent prescribers; there was no evidence that the other state policies were associated with changes in the rate of clinicians becoming persistent prescribers. Because buprenorphine treatment is highly concentrated among a small group of clinicians, it is imperative to increase the pool of clinicians providing care to larger numbers of patients for longer periods. Greater efforts are needed to identify and support factors associated with successful persistent prescribing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Brendan Saloner
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Adam J. Gordon
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences (IDEAS) Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Program for Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge and Advocacy (PARCKA), Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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Saloner B, Andraka-Christou B, Stein BD, Gordon AJ. Will the End of the X-Waiver Expand Access to Buprenorphine Treatment? Achieving the Full Potential of the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act. Subst Abus 2023; 44:108-111. [PMID: 37675897 PMCID: PMC10719867 DOI: 10.1177/08897077231186212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
The 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act repealed the special waiver for prescribing buprenorphine to patients with opioid use disorder, a bipartisan goal long sought by advocates. The change has symbolic importance in recognizing that buprenorphine is a mainstream medical treatment. We argue that the maximum potential of the law can be achieved by addressing three bottlenecks. First, it is important that new training requirements for all controlled substances prescribers be grounded in scientific principles of addiction treatment and are robustly evaluated to ensure they meet quality standards. Second, even with the elimination of the waiver, there are potential constraints from state law such as state-specific requirements that practitioners require counseling or obtain a separate credential, and many states also have limiting scope of practice regulations. We recommend that these requirements are eased wherever possible to improve treatment access. Third, it is critical to build onramps to treatment in settings such as primary care, hospitals, and correctional facilities. While we anticipate that buprenorphine prescribing will primarily occur in high-volume practices, there is the potential to activate a broader workforce to serve as entry points to care. We conclude that the stage is set for significant increases in lifesaving treatment but the difficult task ahead is ensuring that the resources and training are available to build strong capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan Saloner
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Barbara Andraka-Christou
- School of Global Health Management and Informatics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | | | - Adam J. Gordon
- Program for Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge and Advocacy (PARCKA), Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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Treitler P, Nowels M, Feder KA, Saloner B, Reeves R, DeBilio L, Crystal S. Hospital Use and Mortality Among Decarcerated Individuals With Substance Use Disorder After a Large-scale COVID-19 Emergency Prison Release Program. JAMA Health Forum 2023; 4:e231200. [PMID: 37266961 DOI: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2023.1200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Treitler
- Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
- School of Social Work, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Molly Nowels
- Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
- Department of Health Behavior, Society, and Policy, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Kenneth A Feder
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Rusty Reeves
- Rutgers University Correctional Health Care, Trenton, New Jersey
- Department of Psychiatry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Lisa DeBilio
- Rutgers University Correctional Health Care, Trenton, New Jersey
| | - Stephen Crystal
- Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
- School of Social Work, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
- Department of Health Behavior, Society, and Policy, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, New Jersey
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Saloner B, Kramer C, Song M, Doan B, Eber GB, Rubenstein LS, Sufrin C. COVID-19 Restrictions In Jails And Prisons: Perspectives From Carceral Leaders. Health Aff (Millwood) 2023; 42:841-848. [PMID: 37276483 DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2022.01473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 has been an unprecedented challenge in carceral facilities. As COVID-19 outbreaks spread in the US in early 2020, many jails, prisons, juvenile detention centers, and other carceral facilities undertook infection control measures such as increased quarantine and reduced outside visitation. However, the implementation of these decisions varied widely across facilities and jurisdictions. We explored how carceral decision makers grappled with ethically fraught public health challenges during the pandemic. We conducted semistructured interviews during May-October 2021 with thirty-two medical and security leaders from a diverse array of US jails and prisons. Although some facilities had existing detailed outbreak plans, most plans were inadequate for a rapidly evolving pandemic such as COVID-19. Frequently, this caused facilities to enact improvised containment plans. Quarantine and isolation were rapidly adopted across facilities in response to COVID-19, but in an inconsistent manner. Decision makers generally approached quarantine and isolation protocols as a logistical challenge, rather than an ethical one. Although they recognized the hardships imposed on incarcerated people, they generally saw the measures as justified. Comprehensive outbreak control guidelines for pandemic diseases in carceral facilities are urgently needed to ensure that future responses are more equitable and effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan Saloner
- Brendan Saloner , Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
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Saloner B, Whitley P, Dawson E, Passik S, Gordon AJ, Stein BD. Polydrug use among patients on methadone medication treatment: Evidence from urine drug testing to inform patient safety. Addiction 2023. [PMID: 37158468 DOI: 10.1111/add.16180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Patients in methadone medication treatment for opioid use disorder (M-MOUD) typically have a complex history of opioid use, often in combination with other drugs. It is unknown how frequently M-MOUD patients experience persistent substance or polysubstance use. We measured trends in illicit substance use in a large, multistate population of M-MOUD patients and persistence of substance use in the first year of treatment. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study of United States (US) M-MOUD patients from 2017 to 2021, focused on urine drug specimens provided for testing to Millennium Health, a third-party laboratory. Specimens were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to estimate the average trends in positivity during time in treatment. SETTING Specimens were obtained from clinics in 10 US states that provided at least 300 unique patients during the study period (Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Mexico, Ohio, Virginia and Washington). PARTICIPANTS Patients with opioid use disorder receiving M-MOUD (n = 16 386). MEASUREMENTS Positivity rates for heroin, fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine. FINDINGS From 2017 to 2021, yearly crude positivity rates for first collected specimens increased for fentanyl (13.1%-53.0%, P < 0.001), methamphetamine (10.6%-27.2%, P < 0.001) and cocaine (13.8%-19.5%, P < 0.001); for heroin positivity did not significantly change (6.9%-6.5%, P = 0.74). In regression models estimating patient trajectories from week 1 to week 52, marginal fentanyl positivity declined from 21.8% to 17.1% (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 0.78, P < 0.001) and heroin positivity declined from 8.4% to 4.3% (IRR = 0.51, P < 0.001), but positivity for methamphetamine and cocaine did not significantly change, remaining at an average of 17.7% (IRR = 0.98, P = 0.53) and 9.2% (IRR = 0.96, P = 0.36), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Between 2017 and 2021, United States patients presenting to opioid treatment programs increasingly tested positive for fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine. Methadone medication treatment for opioid use disorder appears to remain an effective intervention for reducing illicit opioid use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan Saloner
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Eric Dawson
- Millennium Health, San Diego, California, USA
| | | | - Adam J Gordon
- University of Utah and Veterans Health Administration, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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Pytell JD, Whitley P, Passik SD, Bundy WL, Dawson E, Saloner B. Association of Patients' Direct Addition of Buprenorphine to Urine Drug Test Specimens With Clinical Factors in Opioid Use Disorder. JAMA Psychiatry 2023; 80:459-467. [PMID: 36947029 PMCID: PMC10034668 DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2023.0234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Importance The direct addition of buprenorphine to urine drug test specimens to mimic results suggestive of adherence is a clinically significant result, yet little is known about the phenomenon. Objective To characterize factors associated with the direct addition of buprenorphine to urine specimens among patients prescribed buprenorphine for opioid use disorder. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study of urine drug test specimens was conducted from January 1, 2017, to April 30, 2022, using a national database of urine drug test specimens ordered by clinicians from primary care, behavioral health, and substance use disorder treatment clinics. Urine specimens with quantitative norbuprenorphine and buprenorphine concentrations from patients with opioid use disorder currently prescribed buprenorphine were analyzed. Exposures Nonprescribed opioid or stimulant co-positive, clinical setting, collection year, census division, patient age, patient sex, and payor. Main Outcomes and Measures Norbuprenorphine to buprenorphine ratio less than 0.02 identified direct addition of buprenorphine. Unadjusted trends in co-positivity for stimulants and opioids were compared between specimens consistent with the direct addition of buprenorphine. Factors associated with the direct addition of buprenorphine were examined with generalized estimating equations. Results This study included 507 735 urine specimens from 58 476 patients. Of all specimens, 261 210 (51.4%) were obtained from male individuals, and 137 254 (37.7%) were from patients aged 25 to 34 years. Overall, 9546 (1.9%) specimens from 4550 (7.6%) patients were suggestive of the direct addition of buprenorphine. The annual prevalence decreased from 2.4% in 2017 to 1.2% in 2020. Opioid-positive with (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.01; 95% CI, 1.85-2.18) and without (aOR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.81-2.26) stimulant-positive specimens were associated with the direct addition of buprenorphine to specimens, while opioid-negative/stimulant-positive specimens were negatively associated (aOR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.71-0.85). Specimens from patients aged 35 to 44 years (aOR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.34-1.90) and primary care (aOR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.44-1.79) were associated with the direct addition of buprenorphine. Differences by treatment setting decreased over time. Specimens from the South Atlantic census region had the highest association (aOR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.25-1.56) and New England had the lowest association (aOR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.46-0.65) with the direct addition of buprenorphine. Conclusions and Relevance In this cross-sectional study, the direct addition of buprenorphine to urine specimens was associated with other opioid positivity and being collected in primary care settings. The direct addition of buprenorphine to urine specimens is a clinically significant finding, and best practices specific for this phenomenon are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarratt D. Pytell
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora
| | | | | | | | | | - Brendan Saloner
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
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Curran J, Saloner B, Winkelman TNA, Alexander GC. Estimated Use of Prescription Medications Among Individuals Incarcerated in Jails and State Prisons in the US. JAMA Health Forum 2023; 4:e230482. [PMID: 37058293 PMCID: PMC10105311 DOI: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2023.0482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Although incarcerated individuals experience higher rates of chronic conditions, little is known regarding the use of prescription medications in jails and prisons in the US. Objective To characterize treatment with prescription medications in jails and state prisons relative to noncorrectional settings in the US. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional analysis using 2018 to 2020 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) estimated the prevalence of disease among recently incarcerated and nonincarcerated adults in the US. The study used 2018 to 2020 IQVIA's National Sales Perspective (NSP) to quantify the distribution of medications to incarcerated and nonincarcerated populations. The NSP provides national dollar and unit sales of prescription medications across multiple distribution channels, including prisons and jails. The study population included incarcerated and nonincarcerated individuals from NSDUH. Seven common chronic conditions were assessed. Data were analyzed in May 2022. Exposures Medications being sent to correctional facilities vs all other settings in the US. Main Outcomes and Measures The main outcomes were distribution of medications to treat diabetes, asthma, hypertension, hepatitis B and C, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), depression, and severe mental illness to incarcerated and nonincarcerated populations. Results The proportion of pharmaceuticals distributed to jails and state prisons to treat type 2 diabetes (0.15%), asthma (0.15%), hypertension (0.18%), hepatitis B or C (1.68%), HIV (0.73%), depression (0.36%), and severe mental illness (0.48%) was much lower compared with the relative burden of disease among this population. The incarcerated population in state prisons and jails accounted for 0.44% (95% CI, 0.34%-0.56%) of estimated individuals with diabetes, 0.85% (95% CI, 0.67%-1.06%) of individuals with asthma, 0.42% (95% CI, 0.35%-0.51%) of hypertension, 3.13% (95% CI, 2.53%-3.84%) of hepatitis B or C, 2.20% (95% CI, 1.51%-3.19%) of HIV, 1.46% (95% CI, 1.33%-1.59%) of depression, and 1.97% (95% CI, 1.81%-2.14%) of severe mental illness. After adjusting for disease prevalence, the relative disparity was 2.9-fold for diabetes, 5.5-fold for asthma, 2.4-fold for hypertension, 1.9-fold for hepatitis B or C, 3.0-fold for HIV, 4.1-fold for depression, and 4.1-fold for severe mental illness. Conclusions and Relevance In this cross-sectional, descriptive study of the distribution of prescription medications for chronic conditions in jails and state prisons, the findings suggest that there may be underuse of pharmacological treatment in correctional facilities relative to the nonincarcerated population. These findings, which require further investigation, may reflect inadequate care in jails and prisons and represent a critical public health issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill Curran
- Center for Drug Safety and Effectiveness, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Tyler N A Winkelman
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Hennepin Healthcare, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Health, Homelessness, and Criminal Justice Lab, Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - G Caleb Alexander
- Center for Drug Safety and Effectiveness, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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Solomon KT, O'Connor J, Gibbons JB, Kilaru AS, Feder KA, Xue L, Saloner B, Stuart EA, Cole ES, Hulsey E, Meisel Z, Patel E, Donohue JM. Association Between Hospital Adoption of an Emergency Department Treatment Pathway for Opioid Use Disorder and Patient Initiation of Buprenorphine After Discharge. JAMA Health Forum 2023; 4:e230245. [PMID: 36961457 DOI: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2023.0245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Emergency department (ED)-based initiation of buprenorphine has been shown to increase engagement in outpatient treatment and reduce the risk of subsequent opioid overdose; however, rates of buprenorphine treatment in the ED and follow-up care for opioid use disorder (OUD) remain low in the US. The Opioid Hospital Quality Improvement Program (O-HQIP), a statewide financial incentive program designed to increase engagement in OUD treatment for Medicaid-enrolled patients who have ED encounters, has the potential to increase ED-initiated buprenorphine treatment. Objective To evaluate the association between hospitals attesting to an ED buprenorphine treatment O-HQIP pathway and patients' subsequent initiation of buprenorphine treatment. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study included Pennsylvania patients aged 18 to 64 years with continuous Medicaid enrollment 6 months before their OUD ED encounter and at least 30 days after discharge between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2020. Patients with a claim for medication for OUD 6 months before their index encounter were excluded. Exposures Hospital implementation of an ED buprenorphine treatment O-HQIP pathway. Main Outcomes and Measures The main outcome was patients' receipt of buprenorphine within 30 days of their index OUD ED visit. Between August 2021 and January 2023, data were analyzed using a difference-in-differences method to evaluate the association between hospitals' O-HQIP attestation status and patients' treatment with buprenorphine after ED discharge. Results The analysis included 17 428 Medicaid-enrolled patients (female, 43.4%; male, 56.6%; mean [SD] age, 37.4 [10.8] years; Black, 17.5%; Hispanic, 7.9%; White, 71.6%; other race or ethnicity, 3.0%) with OUD seen at O-HQIP-attesting or non-O-HQIP-attesting hospital EDs. The rate of prescription fills for buprenorphine within 30 days of an OUD ED discharge in the O-HQIP attestation hospitals before the O-HQIP intervention was 5%. The O-HQIP attestation was associated with a statistically significant increase (2.6 percentage points) in prescription fills for buprenorphine within 30 days of an OUD ED discharge (β, 0.026; 95% CI, 0.005-0.047). Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study, the O-HQIP was associated with an increased initiation of buprenorphine in patients with OUD presenting to the ED. These findings suggest that statewide incentive programs may effectively improve outcomes for patients with OUD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jason O'Connor
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jason B Gibbons
- Department of Health Policy and Management, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Kenneth A Feder
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Lingshu Xue
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Department of Health Policy and Management, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Elizabeth A Stuart
- Department of Health Policy and Management, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Evan S Cole
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | | | - Esita Patel
- Advanced Practice Outcomes and Analytics, The Center for Advanced Practice, Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, North Carolina
| | - Julie M Donohue
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
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Bono MH, Treitler P, Saloner B, Crystal S. Returning home during the pandemic: a thematic analysis describing experiences of people with substance use disorders released early from New Jersey prisons during COVID-19. Health Justice 2023; 11:11. [PMID: 36847934 PMCID: PMC9969013 DOI: 10.1186/s40352-023-00208-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The COVID-19 pandemic created intersecting health risks for incarcerated people with a history of substance use disorder (SUD). To reduce exposure to COVID-19 in prison, several US states enacted decarceration legislation. New Jersey enacted the Public Health Emergency Credit Act (PHECA), granting early release to thousands of incarcerated persons meeting eligibility criteria. This study undertook to explore how large scale decarceration during the pandemic impacted the reentry process for released individuals with SUDs. METHODS Twenty seven participants involved in PHECA releases - 21 persons released from NJ carceral facilities with past/present SUDs (14 with opioid use disorder, 7 with other SUDs) and 6 reentry service providers acting as key informants - completed phone interviews on PHECA experiences from February-June 2021. Cross-case thematic analysis of transcripts identified common themes and divergent perspectives. RESULTS Respondents described challenges consistent with long-documented reentry difficulties including housing and food insecurity, difficulty accessing community services, insufficient employment opportunities, and limited access to transportation. Challenges that were pertinent to mass release during a pandemic included limited access to communication technology and community providers and community providers exceeding enrollment capacity. Despite reentry difficulties, respondents identified many areas where prisons and reentry service providers adapted to meet novel challenges presented by mass decarceration during the COVID-19 pandemic. Facilitators made available by prison and reentry provider staff included providing released persons with cell phones, transportation assistance at transit hubs, prescription support for medications for opioid use disorder, and pre-release assistance with ID and benefits through NJ's Joint Comprehensive Assessment Plan. CONCLUSIONS Formerly incarcerated people with SUDs experienced reentry challenges during PHECA releases similar to those that occur during ordinary circumstances. Despite barriers faced during typical releases and novel challenges unique to mass release during a pandemic, providers made adaptations to support released persons' successful reentry. Recommendations are made based on areas of need identified in interviews, including reentry service provision facilitating housing and food security, employment, medical services, technology fluency, and transportation. In anticipation of future large scale releases, providers will benefit from planning ahead and adapting to address temporary increases in resource demands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline H Bono
- Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 152 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA.
- Center for Health Services Research, Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
| | - Peter Treitler
- Center for Health Services Research, Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Stephen Crystal
- Center for Health Services Research, Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
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Song M, Kramer CT, Sufrin CB, Eber GB, Rubenstein LS, Beyrer C, Saloner B. "It was like you were being literally punished for getting sick": formerly incarcerated people's perspectives on liberty restrictions during COVID-19. AJOB Empir Bioeth 2023; 14:155-166. [PMID: 36811402 DOI: 10.1080/23294515.2023.2180105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 has greatly impacted the health of incarcerated individuals in the US. The goal of this study was to examine perspectives of recently incarcerated individuals on greater restrictions on liberty to mitigate COVID-19 transmission. METHODS We conducted semi-structured phone interviews from August through October 2021 with 21 people who had been incarcerated in Bureau of Prisons (BOP) facilities during the pandemic. Transcripts were coded and analyzed, using a thematic analysis approach. RESULTS Many facilities implemented universal "lockdowns," with time out of the cell often limited to one hour per day, with participants reporting not being able to meet all essential needs such as showers and calling loved ones. Several study participants reported that repurposed spaces and tents created for quarantine and isolation provided "unlivable conditions." Participants reported receiving no medical attention while in isolation, and staff using spaces designated for disciplinary purposes (e.g., solitary housing units) for public health isolation purposes. This resulted in the conflation of isolation and discipline, which discouraged symptom reporting. Some participants felt guilty over potentially causing another lockdown by not reporting their symptoms. Programming was frequently stopped or curtailed and communication with the outside was limited. Some participants relayed that staff threatened to punish noncompliance with masking and testing. Liberty restrictions were purportedly rationalized by staff with the idea that incarcerated people should not expect freedoms, while those incarcerated blamed staff for bringing COVID-19 into the facility. CONCLUSIONS Our results highlighted how actions by staff and administrators decreased the legitimacy of the facilities' COVID-19 response and were sometimes counterproductive. Legitimacy is key in building trust and obtaining cooperation with otherwise unpleasant but necessary restrictive measures. To prepare for future outbreaks facilities must consider the impact of liberty-restricting decisions on residents and build legitimacy for these decisions by communicating justifications to the extent possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minna Song
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Camille T Kramer
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Carolyn B Sufrin
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Gabriel B Eber
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Leonard S Rubenstein
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Chris Beyrer
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Allen ST, Schneider KE, Morris M, Rouhani S, Harris SJ, Saloner B, Sherman SG. Factors associated with receptive injection equipment sharing among people who inject drugs: findings from a multistate study at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Harm Reduct J 2023; 20:18. [PMID: 36793041 PMCID: PMC9930060 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-023-00746-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Receptive injection equipment sharing (i.e., injecting with syringes, cookers, rinse water previously used by another person) plays a central role in the transmission of infectious diseases (e.g., HIV, viral hepatitis) among people who inject drugs. Better understanding these behaviors in the context of COVID-19 may afford insights about potential intervention opportunities in future health crises. OBJECTIVE This study examines factors associated with receptive injection equipment sharing among people who inject drugs in the context of COVID-19. METHODS From August 2020 to January 2021, people who inject drugs were recruited from 22 substance use disorder treatment programs and harm reduction service providers in nine states and the District of Columbia to complete a survey that ascertained how the COVID-19 pandemic affected substance use behaviors. We used logistic regression to identify factors associated with people who inject drugs having recently engaged in receptive injection equipment sharing. RESULTS One in four people who inject drugs in our sample reported having engaged in receptive injection equipment sharing in the past month. Factors associated with greater odds of receptive injection equipment sharing included: having a high school education or equivalent (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.14, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.24, 3.69), experiencing hunger at least weekly (aOR = 1.89, 95% CI 1.01, 3.56), and number of drugs injected (aOR = 1.15, 95% CI 1.02, 1.30). Older age (aOR = 0.97, 95% CI 0.94, 1.00) and living in a non-metropolitan area (aOR = 0.43, 95% CI 0.18, 1.02) were marginally associated with decreased odds of receptive injection equipment sharing. CONCLUSIONS Receptive injection equipment sharing was relatively common among our sample during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings contribute to existing literature that examines receptive injection equipment sharing by demonstrating that this behavior was associated with factors identified in similar research that occurred before COVID. Eliminating high-risk injection practices among people who inject drugs requires investments in low-threshold and evidence-based services that ensure persons have access to sterile injection equipment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean T. Allen
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Health, Behavior, Society; Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624 N. Broadway, Hampton House 184, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
| | - Kristin E. Schneider
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Health, Behavior, Society; Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624 N. Broadway, Hampton House 184, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
| | - Miles Morris
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Health, Behavior, Society; Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624 N. Broadway, Hampton House 184, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
| | - Saba Rouhani
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Health, Behavior, Society; Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624 N. Broadway, Hampton House 184, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
| | - Samantha J. Harris
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Health Policy and Management; Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
| | - Brendan Saloner
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Health Policy and Management; Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
| | - Susan G. Sherman
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Department of Health, Behavior, Society; Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624 N. Broadway, Hampton House 184, Baltimore, MD 21205 USA
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Kramer C, Song M, Sufrin CB, Eber GB, Rubenstein LS, Saloner B. COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy and uptake: Perspectives from people released from the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Vaccine 2023; 41:1408-1417. [PMID: 36690558 PMCID: PMC9866228 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.01.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
People in United States (US) prisons and jails have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is due to challenges containing outbreaks in facilities and the high rates of health conditions that increase the risk of adverse outcomes. Vaccination is one strategy to disrupt COVID-19 transmission, but there are many factors impeding vaccination while in custody. We aimed to examine the perspectives of former residents in the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) regarding COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and acceptance. Between September-October 2021, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 21 recently released individuals who were incarcerated before and during COVID-19 and coded transcripts thematically. We assessed perceptions of the vaccine rollout and factors shaping vaccination uptake in custody and after release. The vaccine was available to seven participants in custody, of whom three were vaccinated. Interviewees had mixed attitudes about how vaccines were distributed, particularly with priority given to staff. Most were reluctant to get vaccinated in custody for varying reasons including observing staff declining to be vaccinated, lack of counseling to address specific questions about safety, and general lack of trust in the carceral system. By contrast, twelve got vaccinated post-release because of greater trust in community health care and stated they would not have done so while incarcerated. For residents in the BOP, COVID-19 vaccination was not simply a binary decision, instead they weighed the costs and benefits with most deciding against getting vaccinated. Institutions of incarceration must address these concerns to increase vaccine uptake as the pandemic continues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Kramer
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 4940 Eastern Ave., A101 Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
| | - Minna Song
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Carolyn B Sufrin
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 4940 Eastern Ave., A101 Baltimore, MD 21224, USA; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Health, Behavior and Society, 624 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Gabriel B Eber
- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, 624 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Leonard S Rubenstein
- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, 624 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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Stein BD, Landis RK, Sheng F, Saloner B, Gordon AJ, Sorbero M, Dick AW. Buprenorphine Treatment Episodes During the First Year of COVID: a Retrospective Examination of Treatment Initiation and Retention. J Gen Intern Med 2023; 38:733-737. [PMID: 36474004 PMCID: PMC9734477 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-022-07891-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the COVID pandemic, overall buprenorphine treatment appeared to remain relatively stable, despite some studies suggesting a decrease in patients starting buprenorphine. There is a paucity of empirical information regarding patterns of buprenorphine treatment during the pandemic. OBJECTIVE To better understand the patterns of buprenorphine episodes during the pandemic and how those patterns compared to pre-pandemic patterns. DESIGN Pharmacy claims representing approximately 92% of all prescriptions filled at retail pharmacies in all 50 US states and the District of Columbia. PARTICIPANTS Individuals filling buprenorphine prescriptions indicated for treatment of opioid use disorder. MAIN MEASURES The number of active, starting, and ending buprenorphine treatment episodes March 13 to December 1, 2020, and the expected number of such episodes in 2020 based on the growth in treatment episodes from March 13 to December 1, 2019. KEY RESULTS The observed number of active buprenorphine episodes in December 2020 was comparable to the expected number, but new treatment episodes starting between March 13 and December 1, 2020, were 17.2% fewer than expected based on the 2019 experience. Similarly, the number of episodes that ended between March 13 and December 1, 2020, was 16.0% fewer than expected. Decreases from expected episode starts and ends occurred throughout the period but were greatest in the 2 months after the declaration of the public health emergency. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Beneath the apparent stability of buprenorphine patient numbers during the pandemic, the flow of individuals receiving buprenorphine treatment changed substantially. Our findings shed light on how policy changes meant to support buprenorphine prescribing influenced prescribing dynamics during that period, suggesting that while policy efforts may have been successful in maintaining existing patients in treatment, that success did not extend to individuals not yet in treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley D Stein
- RAND Corporation, 4570 Fifth Avenue, Suite 600, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
| | - Rachel K Landis
- George Washington University Trachtenberg School of Public Policy, Washington, DC, USA.,RAND Corporation, Arlington, VA, USA
| | | | - Brendan Saloner
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Adam J Gordon
- VA Salt Lake City Health Care System and University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Mark Sorbero
- RAND Corporation, 4570 Fifth Avenue, Suite 600, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
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Carroll G, Solomon KT, Heil J, Saloner B, Stuart EA, Patel EY, Greifer N, Salzman M, Murphy E, Baston K, Haroz R. Impact of Administering Buprenorphine to Overdose Survivors Using Emergency Medical Services. Ann Emerg Med 2023; 81:165-175. [PMID: 36192278 DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2022.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of utilizing emergency medical services units to administer high dose buprenorphine after an overdose to treat withdrawal symptoms, reduce repeat overdose, and provide a next-day substances use disorder clinic appointment to initiate long-term treatment. METHODS This was a retrospective matched cohort study of patients who experienced an overdose and either received emergency medical services care from a buprenorphine-equipped ambulance or a nonbuprenorphine-equipped ambulance in Camden, New Jersey, an urban community with high overdose rates. There were 117 cases and 123 control patients in the final sample. RESULTS Compared with a nonbuprenorphine-equipped ambulance, exposure to a buprenorphine-equipped ambulance was associated with greater odds of engaging in opioid use disorder treatment within 30 days of an emergency medical services encounter (unadjusted odds ratio: 5.62, 95% confidence interval, 2.36 to 13.39). Buprenorphine-equipped ambulance engagement did not decrease repeat overdose compared to the comparison group. Patients who received buprenorphine experienced a decrease in withdrawal symptoms. Their clinical opiate withdrawal scale score decreased from an average of 9.27 to 3.16. buprenorphine-equipped ambulances increased on-scene time by 6.12 minutes. CONCLUSION Patients who encountered paramedics trained to administer buprenorphine and able to arrange prompt substance use disorder treatment after an acute opioid overdose demonstrated a decrease in opioid withdrawal symptoms, an increase in outpatient addiction follow-up care, and showed no difference in repeat overdose. Patients receiving buprenorphine in the out-of-hospital setting did not experience precipitated withdrawal. Expanded out-of-hospital treatment of opiate use disorder is a promising model for rapid access to buprenorphine after an overdose in a patient population that often has limited contact with the health care system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard Carroll
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Cooper University Health Care, Camden, NJ.
| | | | - Jessica Heil
- Division of Addiction, Cooper University Health Care, Camden, NJ
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | | | - Esita Y Patel
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Noah Greifer
- Harvard University Institute for Quantitative Social Science, Cambridge, MA
| | - Matthew Salzman
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Cooper University Health Care, Camden, NJ
| | - Emily Murphy
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Cooper University Health Care, Camden, NJ
| | - Kaitlan Baston
- Division of Addiction, Cooper University Health Care, Camden, NJ
| | - Rachel Haroz
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Cooper University Health Care, Camden, NJ
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Saloner B, Li W, Flores M, Progovac AM, Lê Cook B. A Widening Divide: Cigarette Smoking Trends Among People With Substance Use Disorder And Criminal Legal Involvement. Health Aff (Millwood) 2023; 42:187-196. [PMID: 36745833 PMCID: PMC10157835 DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2022.00901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
People with substance use disorder (SUD) smoke cigarettes at a rate more than twice that of the general population. Policies and programs have focused on promoting smoking cessation among people with SUD, yet it is unclear whether interventions have adequately reached the subgroup involved in the criminal legal system, who have among the highest smoking rates. Drawing on repeated cross-sections of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, we found that smoking rates declined by 9.4 percentage points overall among people with SUD from 2010 to 2019, but rates remained virtually unchanged among the subgroup with criminal legal involvement. In regression analyses focused on people with SUD, three-quarters of the excess smoking burden for those with criminal legal involvement at baseline (2010-13) was accounted for by controlling for sociodemographics, substance use type, health insurance, and recent SUD treatment. However, even after we controlled for these same factors, the disparity in smoking prevalence among people with SUD between those with and without criminal legal involvement remained constant over time. These findings underscore the need for smoking cessation interventions focused on the criminal legal system, including correctional facilities and SUD treatment programs that serve people in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan Saloner
- Brendan Saloner , Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Wenshu Li
- Wenshu Li, Foundation Medicine, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Michael Flores
- Michael Flores, Cambridge Health Alliance and Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Ana M Progovac
- Ana M. Progovac, Cambridge Health Alliance and Harvard University
| | - Benjamin Lê Cook
- Benjamin Lê Cook, Cambridge Health Alliance and Harvard University
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Schneider KE, Allen ST, Rouhani S, Morris M, Haney K, Saloner B, Sherman SG. Increased solitary drug use during COVID-19: An unintended consequence of social distancing. Int J Drug Policy 2023; 111:103923. [PMID: 36521196 PMCID: PMC9678832 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2022.103923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the COVID-19 pandemic, overdose rates substantially increased in the United States. One possible contributor to this phenomenon may be solitary drug use resulting from social distancing efforts to prevent COVID-19 transmission. METHODS We surveyed 458 people who use drugs (PWUD) who were recruited from harm reduction and drug treatment providers located in nine states and the District of Columbia. We assessed if solitary drug use had increased since the start of COVID-19. Associations between increased solitary drug use and sociodemographic characteristics, drug use characteristics, and COVID-19 prevention behaviors were examined using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS Half the sample identified as men (52.7%), White (49.7%), and single (49.3%). The average age was 43.2 (SD:11.8) years. Two-thirds (66.8%) recently injected drugs. 44% reported increased solitary drug use since COVID-19. Significant correlates of increased solitary drug use included being single (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR]=1.99, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.33, 2.98), increasing drug use (aOR=2.74, 95% CI: 1.72, 4.37), using more in private locations (aOR=1.91, 95% CI: 1.34, 2.72), and social distancing behaviors (aOR=1.31, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.54). Experiencing homelessness (aOR=0.45, 95% CI: 0.31, 0.65) and identifying as a sexual minority (aOR=0.53, 95% CI: 0.31, 0.93) were associated with being less likely to increase solitary drug use. CONCLUSIONS Solitary drug use increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Increases in solitary drug use, in the context of a drug market increasingly permeated by fentanyl, indicates an urgent need for comprehensive harm reduction interventions to reduce overdose mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin E. Schneider
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA,Corresponding author
| | - Sean T. Allen
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Saba Rouhani
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA,School of Global Public Health, New York University, 708 Broadway, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Miles Morris
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Katherine Haney
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Susan G. Sherman
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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Patel SY, Wayne GF, Progovac AM, Flores M, Moyer M, Mullin B, Levy D, Saloner B, Cook BL. Effects of Medicaid coverage on receipt of tobacco dependence treatment among Medicaid beneficiaries with substance use disorder. Health Serv Res 2022; 57:1303-1311. [PMID: 35584242 PMCID: PMC9643088 DOI: 10.1111/1475-6773.14007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) smoke cigarettes at a rate that is more than double the rate of the general population. Tobacco dependence treatment (TDT) is effective at reducing smoking, yet it is unclear whether expanding insurance coverage of these services increases TDT use among Medicaid beneficiaries with SUD. DATA SOURCE 2009-2013 Medicaid data in all 50 states and Washington DC. STUDY DESIGN We conducted a retrospective analysis of the 2009-2013 de-identified Medicaid Analytic Extract (MAX) claims for a 100% national sample of fee-for-service (FFS) Medicaid adult beneficiaries. Using a difference-in-difference-in-differences analysis, we assessed the association of full TDT coverage on TDT medication use and tobacco cessation counseling services between beneficiaries with and without SUD. We adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, diagnosis of co-occurring chronic illness, state tobacco taxes, and state and year fixed effects. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS We excluded patients not continuously enrolled in Medicaid for 12 months during the calendar year, adults aged 65 and older (given their dual enrollment in Medicaid and Medicare), minors aged 12-17, and pregnant women (for whom different TDT coverage policies apply). PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We separately modeled the association between full coverage of (1) counseling, (2) over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapy, and (3) prescription cessation medications on TDT medication treatment and counseling services. We found that each coverage led to increases in any TDT medication treatment and counseling services for beneficiaries with SUD. The effects of each coverage on medication treatment were greater for beneficiaries with SUD compared to beneficiaries without SUD (ranging from 4.9 to 6.1 percentage point difference). CONCLUSION Coverage of tobacco cessation counseling, over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapy, and prescription cessation medications holds promise for reducing the wide disparities in rates of smoking between those with and without SUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadiq Y. Patel
- Department of Health Care PolicyHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Geoffrey F. Wayne
- Department of PsychiatryCambridge Health AllianceCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | - Ana M. Progovac
- Department of PsychiatryCambridge Health AllianceCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
- Department of PsychiatryHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Michael Flores
- Department of PsychiatryCambridge Health AllianceCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
- Department of PsychiatryHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Margo Moyer
- Department of PsychiatryCambridge Health AllianceCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | - Brian Mullin
- Department of PsychiatryCambridge Health AllianceCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | - Douglas Levy
- Department of MedicineHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Mongan Institute Health Policy Research Center and Tobacco Research and Treatment CenterMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Department of Health Policy and ManagementJohns Hopkins School of Public HealthBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Benjamin Lê Cook
- Department of PsychiatryCambridge Health AllianceCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
- Department of PsychiatryHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
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Landis RK, Opper I, Saloner B, Gordon AJ, Leslie DL, Sorbero M, Stein BD. Buprenorphine treatment episode duration, dosage, and concurrent prescribing of benzodiazepines and opioid analgesics: The effects of Medicaid prior authorization policies. Drug Alcohol Depend 2022; 241:109669. [PMID: 36332589 PMCID: PMC10695272 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Buprenorphine is an effective medication for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD), but the association between prior authorization policies and quality of care for individuals receiving buprenorphine treatment is not well-understood. METHODS Using 2006-2013 Medicaid Analytic eXtract (MAX) data from 34 states and the District of Columbia, we identified 294,031 episodes of buprenorphine treatment for OUD among individuals aged 14-64 years. We estimated generalized difference-in-differences models to examine the association between buprenorphine prior authorization policies and changes in buprenorphine treatment quality along four dimensions: (1) duration of at least 180 days, (2) dosage of at least 8 milligrams, and concurrent prescribing of (3) opioid analgesics and (4) benzodiazepines. RESULTS Buprenorphine prior authorization policies were associated with an 11-percentage point reduction (p < 0.01) in the likelihood of episodes with a duration of at least 180 days in the first four years after policy implementation. The policy was not associated with changes in effective dosage or concurrent prescribing of opioid analgesics or benzodiazepines. CONCLUSIONS Buprenorphine prior authorization policies were associated with a sizeable and significant reduction in episodes of at least 180 days duration, underscoring the importance of identifying and removing barriers to effective and appropriate OUD care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel K Landis
- RAND Corporation, 1200 South Hayes Street, Arlington, VA 22202, USA.
| | - Isaac Opper
- RAND Corporation, 1776 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401, USA.
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Adam J Gordon
- Program for Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge and Advocacy (PARCKA), Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, 295 Chipeta Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA; Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences (IDEAS) Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
| | - Douglas L Leslie
- Department of Public Health Sciences and Center for Applied Studies in Health Economics, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
| | - Mark Sorbero
- RAND Corporation, 4570 Fifth Avenue, Suite 600, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
| | - Bradley D Stein
- RAND Corporation, 4570 Fifth Avenue, Suite 600, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
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Landis RK, Levin JS, Saloner B, Gordon AJ, Dick AW, Sherry TB, Leslie DL, Sorbero M, Stein BD. Sociodemographic differences in quality of treatment to Medicaid enrollees receiving buprenorphine. Subst Abus 2022; 43:1057-1071. [PMID: 35442178 PMCID: PMC9945372 DOI: 10.1080/08897077.2022.2060424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Background: Buprenorphine is a key medication to treat opioid use disorder, but little is known about how treatment quality varies across sociodemographic groups. Objective: We examined measures of treatment quality and explored variation by sociodemographic factors. Methods: We used Medicaid MAX data from 50 states from 2006 to 2014 to identify buprenorphine treatment episodes (N = 317,494). We used multivariable logistic regression to examine the quality of buprenorphine treatment along four dimensions: (1) sufficient duration, (2) effective dosage, and concurrent prescribing of (3) opioid analgesics and (4) benzodiazepines. We explored how quality varied by race/ethnicity, age, sex, and urbanicity. Results: In adjusted models, compared to non-Hispanic White individuals, non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic individuals had lower odds of receiving effective dosage (aORs = 0.79 and 0.89, respectively) and sufficient duration (aORs = 0.64 and 0.71, respectively), and lower odds of concurrent prescribing of opioid analgesics (aORs = 0.86 and 0.85, respectively) and benzodiazepines (aORs = 0.51 and 0.59, respectively). Older individuals had higher odds of sufficient duration (aORs from 1.21-1.33), but also had higher odds of concurrent opioid analgesics prescribing (aORs from 1.29-1.56) and benzodiazepines (aORs from 1.44-1.99). Females had higher odds of sufficient duration (aOR = 1.12), but lower odds of effective dosage (aOR = 0.77) and higher odds of concurrent prescribing of opioid analgesics (aOR = 1.25) and benzodiazepines (aOR = 1.16). Compared to individuals living in metropolitan areas, individuals living in non-metropolitan areas had higher odds of sufficient duration (aORs = 1.11 and 1.24) and effective dosage (aORs = 1.06 and 1.33), and lower odds of concurrent prescribing (aORs from 0.81-0.98). Conclusions: Black and Hispanic individuals were less likely to receive effective buprenorphine dosage and sufficient duration. Quality results were mixed for older and female individuals; although these individuals were more likely to receive treatment of sufficient duration, they were also more likely to be concurrently prescribed potentially contraindicated medications, and females were less likely to receive effective dosage. Findings raise concerns about adequacy of care for minority and other at-risk populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel K. Landis
- George Washington University Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration, Washington, DC, USA
- RAND Corporation, 1200 South Hayes Street, Arlington, VA, USA
| | | | - Brendan Saloner
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Adam J. Gordon
- Program for Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge and Advocacy (PARCKA), Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences Center (IDEAS), Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Andrew W. Dick
- RAND Corporation, 20 Park Plaza, Suite 920, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Douglas L. Leslie
- Department of Public Health Sciences and Center for Applied Studies in Health Economics, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Mark Sorbero
- RAND Corporation, 4570 Fifth Avenue, Suite 600, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Bradley D. Stein
- RAND Corporation, 4570 Fifth Avenue, Suite 600, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3550 Terrace Street, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Allen ST, Schneider KE, Morris M, Saloner B, Sherman SG. Factors Associated with HIV Testing Among People Who Inject Drugs: Findings from a Multistate Study at the Start of the COVID-19 Pandemic. AIDS Behav 2022; 27:1674-1681. [PMID: 36327014 PMCID: PMC9632597 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03899-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Few studies have examined HIV testing among people who inject drugs (PWID) during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examines factors associated with PWID who have been recently (past six months) tested for HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic. PWID were recruited between August 2020 and January 2021 from 22 drug treatment and harm reduction programs in nine states and the District of Columbia. We used logistic regression to identify correlates of recent HIV testing among PWID (n = 289). Most (52.9%) PWID reported having been recently tested for HIV. Factors associated with recent HIV testing included: having attended college [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.32, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.32-4.10], weekly hunger (aOR 2.08, 95% CI 1.20-3.60), crystal methamphetamine injection (aOR 2.04, 95% CI 1.05-3.97), and non-metropolitan residence (aOR 0.33, 95% CI 0.13, 0.88). Findings suggest HIV testing initiatives should be expanded during times of crisis, such as global pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean T Allen
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, 21205, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Kristin E Schneider
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, 21205, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Miles Morris
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, 21205, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe St., 21205, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Susan G Sherman
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, 21205, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Krawczyk N, Allen ST, Schneider KE, Solomon K, Shah H, Morris M, Harris SJ, Sherman SG, Saloner B. Intersecting substance use treatment and harm reduction services: exploring the characteristics and service needs of a community-based sample of people who use drugs. Harm Reduct J 2022; 19:95. [PMID: 36002850 PMCID: PMC9400571 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-022-00676-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Substance use treatment and harm reduction services are essential components of comprehensive strategies for reducing the harms of drug use and overdose. However, these services have been historically siloed, and there is a need to better understand how programs that serve people who use drugs (PWUD) are integrating these services. In this study, we compared treatment and harm reduction services offered by a multistate sample of substance use service providers and assessed how well they align with characteristics and needs of clients they serve early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We recruited a convenience sample of programs that deliver harm reduction and/or treatment services in ten US states. Program directors participated in a survey assessing the services offered at their program. We also recruited clients of these programs to participate in a survey assessing a range of sociodemographic and health characteristics, substance use behaviors, and health service utilization. We then cross-compared client characteristics and behaviors relative to services being offered through these programs. Results We collected and analyzed data from 511 clients attending 18 programs that we classified as either offering treatment with medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) (N = 6), syringe service programs (SSP) (N = 8), or offering both MOUD and SSP (N = 4). All programs delivered a range of treatment and harm reduction services, with MOUD & SSP programs delivering the greatest breadth of services. There were discrepancies between services provided and characteristics and behaviors reported by clients: 80% of clients of programs that offered MOUD without SSP actively used drugs and 50% injected drugs; 40% of clients of programs that offered SSP without MOUD sought drug treatment services. Approximately half of clients were unemployed and unstably housed, but few programs offered direct social services. Conclusions In many ways, existing programs are not meeting the service needs of PWUD. Investing in innovative models that empower clients and integrate a range of accessible and flexible treatment, harm reduction and social services can pave the way for a more effective and equitable service system that considers the long-term health of PWUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noa Krawczyk
- Center for Opioid Epidemiology and Policy, Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, USA.
| | - Sean T Allen
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - Kristin E Schneider
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - Keisha Solomon
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - Hridika Shah
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - Miles Morris
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - Samantha J Harris
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - Susan G Sherman
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
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Levin JS, Landis RK, Sorbero M, Dick AW, Saloner B, Stein BD. Differences in buprenorphine treatment quality across physician provider specialties. Drug Alcohol Depend 2022; 237:109510. [PMID: 35753279 PMCID: PMC10105978 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The number and types of clinicians prescribing buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) have increased over the past two decades, but there is little information on how potential indicators of quality of care to patients receiving buprenorphine vary by provider specialty. METHODS We used the Medicaid Analytic eXtract from 2009 to 2014 to identify buprenorphine treatment episodes. We assigned physician specialties to episodes based on whether an episode had at least one outpatient claim linked to specialists in addiction, behavioral health, opioid treatment program (OTP), pain, or primary care provider (PCP). We then used logistic regressions to estimate the association of linked physician specialty and achievement of the following process of care measures: at least 180-day duration, no co-occurring opioid analgesics, no co-occurring benzodiazepines, infectious disease screening, liver function test, drug and toxicology screenings, evaluation and management visits, and counseling. RESULTS Episodes linked to PCPs had significantly lower odds of achieving 180-day duration, an absence of opioid analgesics, an absence of benzodiazepines, drug and toxicology screenings, and counseling compared to addiction, behavioral health, and/or OTPs. Episodes linked to PCPs had significantly higher odds of undergoing infectious disease screenings, liver function tests, and evaluation and management visits compared to all specialty categories. CONCLUSIONS Episodes were more likely to achieve process of care measures related to the specialties of their physicians, but no specialty consistently demonstrated better performance compared to PCPs. Our findings highlight the need for models that can better integrate physical and behavioral health services for OUD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rachel K Landis
- RAND Corporation, 1200 South Hayes Street, Arlington, VA, USA; George Washington University Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Mark Sorbero
- RAND Corporation, 4570 Fifth Avenue, Suite 600, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Andrew W Dick
- RAND Corporation, 20 Park Plaza, Suite 920, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Bradley D Stein
- RAND Corporation, 4570 Fifth Avenue, Suite 600, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3550 Terrace Street, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Andraka-Christou B, Saloner B, Gordon AJ, Totaram R, Randall-Kosich O, Golan M, Stein BD. Laws for expanding access to medications for opioid use disorder: a legal analysis of 16 states & Washington D.C. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse 2022; 48:492-503. [PMID: 35772010 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2022.2082301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Background: Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUDs) are the gold standard for OUD treatment but are underused. To our knowledge, no published study has systematically identified and categorized state policy innovations for expanding MOUD utilization.Objective: We sought to identify and categorize state MOUD policy innovations.Methods: Within a stratified random sample of 16 U.S. states and Washington D.C. we searched for 2019 state statutes and regulations related to MOUD in Westlaw legal database. We then identified laws that appeared designed to increase MOUD utilization and categorized them using a template analysis approach.Results: We found 82 laws with one or more MOUD expansion policies. We identified six high-level MOUD expansion policy categories: 1) policies expanding the availability of waivered buprenorphine providers; 2) needs assessments and policies increasing public MOUD awareness; 3) criminal justice system policies; 4) Substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and sober living facility policies; 5) insurance policies; and 6) hospital policies. SUD treatment and housing facility policies, as well as insurance policies, were most common.Conclusions: Multipronged approaches are being pursued by several states to increase MOUD access. Our results can inform policymakers of MOUD expansion approaches in other jurisdictions. Policy categories can serve as the basis for policy variables for future analyses of policy effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Andraka-Christou
- School of Global Health Management & Informatics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine (Secondary Joint Appointment), University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Adam J Gordon
- and Analytic Sciences (IDEAS) Center, VA Salt Lake City Health Care SystemInformatics, Decision-Enhancement, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Program for Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge and Advocacy (PARCKA), Division of Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Rachel Totaram
- School of Global Health Management & Informatics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
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Allen L, Burns M, Saloner B. The Consequences of Removing Prior Authorization for Buprenorphine in Medicaid—Building an Evidence Base. JAMA Health Forum 2022; 3:e220189. [DOI: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2022.0189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay Allen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Marguerite Burns
- Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
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Krawczyk N, Bandara S, Merritt S, Shah H, Duncan A, McEntee B, Schiff M, Ahmad NJ, Whaley S, Latimore A, Saloner B. Jail-based treatment for opioid use disorder in the era of bail reform: a qualitative study of barriers and facilitators to implementation of a state-wide medication treatment initiative. Addict Sci Clin Pract 2022; 17:30. [PMID: 35655293 PMCID: PMC9161649 DOI: 10.1186/s13722-022-00313-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Until recently, few carceral facilities offered medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Although more facilities are adopting MOUD, much remains to be learned about addressing implementation challenges related to expansion of MOUD in carceral settings and linkage to care upon re-entry. This is particularly important in jails, where individuals cycle rapidly in and out of these facilities, especially in jurisdictions beginning to implement bail reform laws (i.e., laws that remove the requirement to pay bail for most individuals). Increasing access to MOUD in these settings is a key unexplored challenge. Methods In this qualitative study, we interviewed staff from county jails across New Jersey, a state that has implemented state-wide efforts to increase capacity for MOUD treatment in jails. We analyzed themes related to current practices used to engage individuals in MOUD while in jail and upon re-entry; major challenges to delivering MOUD and re-entry services, particularly under bail reform conditions; and innovative strategies to facilitate delivery of these services. Results Jail staff from 11 New Jersey county jails participated in a baseline survey and an in-depth qualitative interview from January–September 2020. Responses revealed that practices for delivering MOUD varied substantially across jails. Primary challenges included jails’ limited resources and highly regulated operations, the chaotic nature of short jail stays, and concerns regarding limited MOUD and resources in the community. Still, jail staff identified multiple facilitators and creative solutions for delivering MOUD in the face of these obstacles, including opportunities brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions Despite challenges to the delivery of MOUD, states can make concerted and sustained efforts to support opioid addiction treatment in jails. Increased use of evidence-based clinical guidelines, greater investment in resources, and increased partnerships with health and social service providers can greatly improve reach of treatment and save lives. Supplementary information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13722-022-00313-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noa Krawczyk
- Center for Opioid Epidemiology and Policy, Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, 180 Madison Ave, Room 4-12, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Sachini Bandara
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sydney Merritt
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hridika Shah
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | - N Jia Ahmad
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sara Whaley
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Amanda Latimore
- Center for Addiction Research and Effective Solutions, American Institutes for Research, Arlington, VA, USA
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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48
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Meiselbach MK, Drake C, Saloner B, Zhu JM, Stein BD, Polsky DE. Medicaid Managed Care: Access To Primary Care Providers Who Prescribe Buprenorphine. Health Aff (Millwood) 2022; 41:901-910. [PMID: 35666962 PMCID: PMC9245197 DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2021.01719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Medicaid managed care insurers play a crucial role in facilitating access to buprenorphine to treat opioid use disorder. Using a novel set of provider directory and prescription claims data, we examined variation in access to in-network buprenorphine-prescribing primary care providers among Medicaid managed care enrollees. Approximately 32.2 percent of enrollees had fewer than one in-network buprenorphine prescriber per 100,000 county residents. On average, there were a greater number of in-network buprenorphine-prescribing primary care providers in states with higher compared with lower overdose death rates. However, most enrollees lived in areas with a shortage of these providers. We found that a 25 percent higher network participation rate by prescribers compared with nonprescribers could improve the probability that enrollees see a prescriber by approximately 25 percent. Policies to improve access within Medicaid managed care include using primary care provider assignment algorithms to match patients with buprenorphine prescribers and requiring that networks include a minimum number of buprenorphine prescribers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark K. Meiselbach
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Coleman Drake
- Department of Health Policy and Management, University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Brendan Saloner
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Jane M. Zhu
- Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR
| | | | - Daniel E. Polsky
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
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Saloner B, Eber GB, Sufrin CB, Beyrer C, Rubenstein LS. A Human Rights Framework for Advancing the Standard of Medical Care for Incarcerated People in the United States in the Time of COVID-19. Health Hum Rights 2022; 24:59-75. [PMID: 35747287 PMCID: PMC9212822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the lack of resources and oversight that hinders medical care for incarcerated people in the United States. The US Supreme Court has held that "deliberate indifference" to "serious medical needs" violates the Constitution. But this legal standard does not assure the consistent provision of health care services. This leads the United States to fall behind European nations that define universal standards of care grounded in principles of human rights and the ideal of equivalence that incarcerated and non-incarcerated people are entitled to the same health care. In this paper, we review a diverse legal and policy literature and undertake a conceptual analysis of policy issues related to the standard of care in correctional health; we then describe a framework for moving incrementally closer toward a universal standard. The expansion of Medicaid funding and benefits to corrections facilities, alongside a system of comprehensive and enforceable external oversight, would meaningfully raise the standard of care. Although these changes on their own will not resolve all of the thorny health problems posed by mass incarceration, they present a tangible opportunity to move closer to the human rights ideal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan Saloner
- Associate professor in the Department of Health Policy and Management at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and core faculty in the Berman Institute of Bioethics at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA.,Please address correspondence to Brendan Saloner. .
| | - Gabriel B. Eber
- Senior associate in the Department of Epidemiology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - Carolyn B. Sufrin
- Associate professor in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Department of Health, Behavior, and Society at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - Chris Beyrer
- Professor of epidemiology in the Department of Epidemiology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
| | - Leonard S. Rubenstein
- Professor of the practice in the Berman Institute of Bioethics at Johns Hopkins University and Department of Epidemiology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
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Abstract
Rapidly rising drug overdose rates in the United States during the past decade underscore the need to increase access to treatment among people with substance use disorders (SUDs). We analyzed trends in the use of treatment services among people with SUDs during the period 2010-19, using data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Compared with 2013, outpatient visits for general health in the prior year increased 3.6 percentage points by the 2017-19 period. Use of any SUD treatment in the prior year remained unchanged, but treatment use among people involved in the criminal legal system increased by about 6.2 percentage points by the end of the study period. Among those receiving SUD treatment, there was a 14.9-percentage-point increase in having treatment paid for by Medicaid between 2010-13 and 2017-19. Although access to general medical care and insurance coverage have improved for people with SUD, our study findings underscore the importance of renewed efforts to increase the use of SUD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan Saloner
- Brendan Saloner , Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
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