Women of Color Too? Ensuring All Women Receive Recommended Drug Abuse Treatment

Abstract

This is a commentary on Preis et al.’s (2020) article “Improving Assessment, Treatment, and Understanding of Pregnant Women With Opioid Use Disorder: The Importance of Life Context,” which I have written based on my experiences developing and administering research programs in health disparities and drug abuse. Two issues not explicitly addressed in their article were sparked by their arguments. First, we need to discuss racism, not just race as an individual factor, in understanding the life context of pregnant women of color in regard to pregnancy outcomes and addiction treatment. Second, we must become more successful advocates in implementing into policy and practice what we know to be responsive, appropriate treatment for all women. Recommendations for research are suggested.

Keywords:

• Racism
• intersectionality
• pregnant women
• opioid use disorder
• substance abuse

Disclosure Statement

The author has no conflicts to declare.