Enhancing Access to Methadone Treatment in Three HEALing Communities Study Sites: A Spatial and Geostatistical Study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Geospatial Analysis

Background:

• Opioid treatment programs (OTPs) are the sole providers of methadone for overdose risk reduction, posing access challenges.
• Geographic accessibility to methadone treatment is a critical barrier for many individuals, particularly in underserved communities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the impact of new opioid treatment programs (OTPs) on geographic access to methadone.
• To assess how opening new OTPs affects access in areas with high social vulnerability and minoritized racial/ethnic populations.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional spatial and geostatistical analysis.
• Overlaying walk/drive-time service areas with decedent residence data before and after new OTP openings.
• Spatial regression analysis correlating travel times to OTPs with Social Vulnerability Index themes and overdose rates by race/ethnicity.

Main Results:

• Geographic access to methadone improved in high-overdose burden areas post-OTP opening.
• A new OTP in Holyoke significantly reduced walk-times for Hispanic/Latino residents with high overdose deaths.
• Areas with higher proportions of minoritized racial/ethnic groups experienced shorter travel times to OTPs.

Conclusions:

• Geospatial mapping and statistical methods demonstrate improved methadone treatment access with new OTPs.
• Findings support evidence-based strategies for targeted placement of new OTPs to enhance equity.