A multi-method spatial examination of factors associated with changes in geographic accessibility to buprenorphine providers in HEALing communities study states Kentucky, Massachusetts, and Ohio.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Access to substance use treatment is critical to reduce the risk of opioid overdose. However, analyzing geographic accessibility using singular measures may provide imprecise estimates. Our objective was to examine changes in geographic accessibility to buprenorphine providers across three HEALing Communities Study (HCS) states, Kentucky, Massachusetts, and Ohio in the US, using multiple spatial analyses and determining whether disparities in access existed across geographic regions and sociodemographic indicators.

Methods

We used buprenorphine provider data from the Drug Enforcement Administration database in January 2020 (reference point) and June 2022. We used four methods to examine changes in geographic accessibility to buprenorphine: 1) kernel density analys

SUBMITTER: Shrestha S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11995124 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature