Changes in Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Opioid-Related Outcomes in Urban Areas during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Rapid Review of the Literature

Kara M. Moran, Pricila H. Mullachery, Stephen Lankenau and Usama Bilal
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Kara M. Moran: College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, 1601 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
Pricila H. Mullachery: Urban Health Collaborative, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, 3600 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
Stephen Lankenau: Department of Community Health and Prevention, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, 3215 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
Usama Bilal: Urban Health Collaborative, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, 3600 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 15, 1-12

Abstract: Opioid use disorders (OUDs) are increasingly common among minoritized populations, who have historically experienced limited access to healthcare, a situation that may have worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a structured keyword search in Pubmed, we reviewed the literature to synthesize the evidence on changes in racial/ethnic disparities in OUD-related outcomes in urban areas during the COVID-19 pandemic in the US. Nine articles were included in the final analysis. Six found increases in OUD-related outcomes during the pandemic, with four showing a widening of disparities. Results also point to the worsening of opioid outcomes among Black and Latinx individuals related to shelter-in-place or stay-at-home orders. Studies examining the use of telehealth and access to OUD treatment showed that minoritized groups have benefited from telehealth programs. The limited number of studies in a small number of jurisdictions indicate a gap in research examining the intersection between COVID-19 and OUD-related outcomes with a focus on disparities. More research is needed to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related policies on OUD outcomes among racial/ethnic minoritized groups, including examining the impact of service disruptions on vulnerable groups with OUD.

Keywords: opioid use disorders; health disparities; urban health; COVID-19 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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