Open AccessCare for Incarcerated Pregnant People With Opioid Use Disorder
Author(s) -
Chris Ahlbach,
Carolyn Sufrin,
Rebecca J. Shlafer
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
obstetrics and gynecology (new york. 1953. online)/obstetrics and gynecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.664
H-Index - 220
eISSN - 1873-233X
pISSN - 0029-7844
DOI - 10.1097/aog.0000000000004002
Subject(s) - opioid use disorder , medicine , equity (law) , psychiatry , pregnancy , health care , criminology , family medicine , opioid , law , psychology , receptor , biology , political science , genetics
With the simultaneous rise in maternal opioid use disorder (OUD) and the incarceration of pregnant people in the United States, we must ensure that prisons and jails adequately address the health and well-being of incarcerated pregnant people with OUD. Despite long-established, clear, and evidence-based recommendations regarding the treatment of OUD during pregnancy, incarcerated pregnant people with OUD do not consistently receive medication treatment and are instead forced into opioid withdrawal. This inadequate care raises multiple concerns, including issues of justice and equity, considerations regarding the legal and ethical obligations of the provision of health care, and violations of the medical and legal rights of incarcerated people. We offer recommendations for improving care for this often-ignored group.