Rural healthcare disparities: challenges and solutions for the pregnant opioid-dependent population.
Substance abuse among pregnant women is a significant public health problem affecting both maternal and fetal health. Access to both obstetrical care and substance abuse treatment is a challenge for women in rural West Virginia. A multi-disciplinary collaborative treatment approach for this population is necessary to reach and retain women in treatment. Through such collaboration, a positive impact on access to treatment for women from rural communities and reduced barriers to both prenatal care and substance abuse treatment can be achieved in order to improve outcomes for both mother and infant.
Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, WVU School of Medicine, Morgantown WV, USA. llander@hsc.wvu.edu
Laura R
LR
Lander
Patrick
P
Marshalek
Miheret
M
Yitayew
Dolly
D
Ford
Carl R
CR
Sullivan
Kelly K
KK
Gurka
D005260:Female; D040261:Harm Reduction; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019035:Rural Health Services; D014903:West Virginia