{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Geographic and Racial/Ethnic Differences in Access to Methamphetamine Detoxification Services, United States, 2021.
{Author}: Pro G;Cantor J;Buttram M;Brown CC;Gu M;Mancino M;Zaller N;
{Journal}: Med Care
{Volume}: 62
{Issue}: 7
{Year}: 2024 Jul 1
{Factor}: 3.178
{DOI}: 10.1097/MLR.0000000000002013
{Abstract}: <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Methamphetamine detoxification before entering formal and longer term treatment may have a positive impact on treatment retention and success. Understanding geographic distribution of methamphetamine specialty detox services and differential access by race/ethnicity is critical for establishing policies that ensure equitable access across populations.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>We used the Mental health and Addiction Treatment Tracking Repository to identify treatment facilities that offered any substance use detoxification in 2021 (N=2346) as well as the census block group in which they were located. We sourced data from the US Census Bureau to identify the percentage of a census block group that was White, Black, and Hispanic. We used logistic regression to model the availability of methamphetamine-specific detox, predicted by the percentage of a block group that was Black and Hispanic. We adjusted for relevant covariates and defined state as a random effect. We calculated model-based predicted probabilities.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Over half (60%) of detox facilities offered additional detox services specifically for methamphetamine. Sixteen states had <10 methamphetamine-specific detox facilities. The predicted probability of methamphetamine-specific detox availability was 60% in census block groups with 0%-9% Black residents versus only 46% in census block groups with 90%-100% Black residents, and was 61% in census block groups with 0%-9% Hispanic residents versus 30% in census block groups with 90%-100% Hispanic residents.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>During an unprecedented national methamphetamine crisis, access to a critical health care service was disproportionately lower in communities that were predominately Black and Hispanic. We orient our findings around a discussion of health disparities, residential segregation, and the upstream causes of the systematic exclusion of minoritized communities from health care.