Surge in Overdose Fatalities Among Pregnant Individuals Unveiled in Recent Study
Surge in Overdose Fatalities Among Pregnant Individuals Unveiled in Recent Study
A recent report published on Wednesday indicates a drastic surge in drug overdose deaths among pregnant and postpartum individuals from 2018 to 2021. This increase aligns with the continuous escalation in drug-related fatalities nationwide since the onset of the 1990s opioid epidemic.
Researchers at the National Institute on Drug Abuse conducted an analysis of over 17,000 deaths, involving individuals either pregnant or within a year postpartum. Their findings, published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, reveal a more than threefold increase in overdose fatalities among pregnant and postpartum women aged 35 to 44.
Additionally, the data highlights a significant uptick in overdose fatalities within pregnant or postpartum Black women, mirroring the overall surge in maternal mortality rates within this demographic, as highlighted by study co-author Wilson Compton, deputy director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Experts attribute the rise in overdose deaths among this group between 2018 and 2021 to various external factors. These factors include social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic and inadequate prenatal and postpartum care in the United States.
The majority of pregnancy-associated overdose deaths involved opioids, particularly fentanyl. Alarmingly, most of these deaths occurred outside healthcare facilities, underscoring the pressing need for enhanced support during and after pregnancy for individuals grappling with substance use disorders. This entails educating individuals about treatment options and fostering an environment where pregnant people feel empowered to seek treatment without fear of legal repercussions.
Chelsea Shover, an epidemiologist and assistant professor-in-residence at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine, emphasized the stigma surrounding drug use during pregnancy. She noted the additional stigma faced by pregnant individuals using drugs and the repercussions, such as potential child removal, which deter disclosure and hinder access to essential resources.
Shover highlighted the urgency to establish environments where individuals struggling with substance use feel safe to seek necessary assistance. Addressing misconceptions about available treatments for opioid use disorder becomes imperative in this context.
Current treatment methods for opioid use disorders during pregnancy and the postpartum period involve methadone or buprenorphine coupled with behavioral therapy, as recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
A health policy group analysis by KFF in July highlighted the surge in drug overdose fatalities, mainly linked to fentanyl, during the pandemic. Despite efforts to improve access to opioid use disorder treatments, many individuals remain without the recommended medications.
The stigma associated with drug use, combined with the challenges of being pregnant and influenced by opioids, further impedes pregnant and postpartum individuals from seeking necessary help.
Jessica L. Coker, an associate professor specializing in suicide and substance use disorders in pregnant and postpartum women at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, emphasized the need to view substance use as a medical condition rather than a moral failing. She emphasized that women facing substance use disorders strive to be good mothers and make responsible choices.
In 2022, the Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health allocated over $3.6 million to seven organizations dedicated to supporting individuals dealing with substance use disorders during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Coker emphasized the complexity of the situation, stressing that substance use isn't a moral choice. She underlined the dedication of pregnant individuals striving to provide the best care despite their struggles with substance use.
