Assessment of Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Use of Medication to Treat Opioid Use Disorder Among Pregnant Women in Massachusetts

Key Points Question Do differences by maternal race and ethnicity exist in the use of methadone or buprenorphine medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder during pregnancy? Findings In this cohort study of 5247 women with opioid use disorder who delivered a live infant, black non-Hispanic and Hispanic women with opioid use disorder were significantly less likely to use any medication for treatment and were less likely to consistently use medication for treatment during pregnancy compared with white non-Hispanic women with opioid use disorder. Meaning This study found racial and ethnic disparities in the use of medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder during pregnancy among a large population-level sample of women with opioid use disorder in Massachusetts; further investigation is warranted to explore the factors associated with inequitable access to and receipt of medication.