Substantial racial inequalities despite frequent health care contact found in treatment for opioid use disorder

In the wake of an opioid-related event such as an overdose, infection, or detox admission, white patients received medication for opioid use disorder (OUD) up to 80% more frequently than Black patients and up to 25% more frequently than Hispanic patients, according to a new study led by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Across racial groups, patients made a similar number of visits to health care providers in the six months following such an event—indicating that disparities in treatment are not explained by low contact with care.