biostudies-literatureBuchman DZcanadian institutes of health researchInstitute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and AddictionCIHR426-443https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9760505biostudies-literatureUnknown37(4)<h4>Background</h4>People who use drugs with life-limiting illnesses experience substantial barriers to accessing palliative care. Demand for palliative care is expected to increase during communicable disease epidemics and pandemics. Understanding how epidemics and pandemics affect palliative care for people who use drugs is important from a service delivery perspective and for reducing population health inequities.<h4>Aim</h4>To explore what is known about communicable disease epidemics and pandemics, palliative care, and people who use drugs.<h4>Design</h4>Scoping review.<h4>Data sources</h4>We searched six bibliographic databases from inception to April 2021 as well as the grey literature. We included English and French records about palliative care access, programs, and policies and gPalliative medicinePalliative care for people who use drugs during communicable disease epidemics and pandemics: A scoping review on access, policies, and programs and guidelines.PMC9760505Operating Grant: Knowledge Synthesis: COVID-19 inCMS – 171746Spithoff SLo SZimmermann CIsenberg SRFurlan ADLau JTedesco ADosani NDing PFazelzad RBuchman DZfalsePalliative care for people who use drugs during communicable disease epidemics and pandemics: A scoping review on access, policies, and programs and guidelines.<h4>Background</h4>People who use drugs with life-limiting illnesses experience substantial barriers to accessing palliative care. Demand for palliative care is expected to increase during communicable disease epidemics and pandemics. Understanding how epidemics and pandemics affect palliative care for people who use drugs is important from a service delivery perspective and for reducing population health inequities.<h4>Aim</h4>To explore what is known about communicable disease epidemics and pandemics, palliative care, and people who use drugs.<h4>Design</h4>Scoping review.<h4>Data sources</h4>We searched six bibliographic databases from inception to April 2021 as well as the grey literature. We included English and French records about palliative care access, programs, and policies and g2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Apr2026-03-27T16:14:16.685Z2025-02-19T01:31:50.482ZS-EPMC97605053652284010.1177/02692163221143153