New Publications Share Strategies to Address Racial and Health Disparities

Three new publications share research on COVID & policy development, racial disparities in non-emergency care, and the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on people who use drugs by analyzing social media posts on Reddit.

COVID-19 related substance use services policy changes: Policymaker perspectives on policy development & implementation

Authors: Brandy F. Henry, Aimee Campbell, Timothy Hunt, Jessica K.Johnson, Amar D. Mandaviad, Michael Chaple, Caroline Arout, Elwin Wu, Harold A.Pincus, Edward V. Nunes, Pat Lincourt, Frances R.Levin, Nabila El-Bassel

The team from the Columbia Center for Healing of Opioid and Other Substance Use Disorders--Intervention Development and Implementation (CHOSEN) and the related COVID-19 Impact Study has published a paper with a rare look at policy and dissemination plans during COVID-19.

During COVID-19, the study authors report that "policymakers shifted to more inclusive approaches of knowledge generation and co-production of recommendations," even though they faced barriers to adopting and implementing new regulations (such as providing access to medication and services and the overcriminalization of populations needing services and resulting stigma).

The paper finds that "policymakers were enthusiastic about the opportunities resulting from the rapid change brought on by the pandemic" and "maintaining innovations may facilitate more nimble, patient-centered service delivery."

The authors conclude that "Findings from this study highlight the potential feasibility and benefits of co-produced policies for substance use services." Further, they stress the need for a consistent supply of services, improved integration with other health care services, and harm reduction support. The importance of addressing and reducing stigma and reforming the criminal justice system are also key to future innovation success and "should inform future policy maintenance and modifications to substance use services related to COVID-19."  Read the publication.