Mitigating Opioid Use Disorder and the Opioid Epidemic in the United States

Latest estimates show that roughly 188 individuals in the United States die everyday due to an opioid-related overdose. This dissertation explores three avenues for mitigating opioid use disorder (OUD) and the opioid epidemic in the United States (1.) How can researchers and public health professionals identify areas most in need of treatment for OUD in an easy-to-use and publicly accessible interface?; (2.) What do practitioners see as opportunities for reducing barriers to treatment?; and (3.) Why do differences in opioid mortality exist between demographic groups? To address question one, I developed an interactive web-based to assist in identifying those counties with the greatest unmet need of medically assisted treatment (MAT). To answer question two, I conducted a study of stakeholders (medical providers, peer support specialists, public health practitioners, etc.) in four New Mexico counties with high unmet need of MAT. to identify cultural and structural barriers to MAT provision in underserved areas as well as opportunities for improving access. To answer the third question. I conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature and government reports to identify how previous research accounts for race/ethnic and sex disparities in opioid-related mortality. While many opioid mortality studies show demographic differences, little is known about why they exist. According to the findings of this systematic review, research needs to go beyond identifying demographic differences in opioid-related mortality to understand the reasons for those differences to reduce these inequities.