Presenter(s): Pierluigi Mancini, PhD 

Target Audience: This activity is designed for interprofessional teams, family/patients, nurses, physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and students/educators.

Webinar Description: The current opioid crisis is one of the most widespread drug epidemics in U.S. history for all racial and ethnic groups, especially in Hispanic/Latino populations. In 2020, rates of drug overdose among Hispanic or Latino individuals grew by 40%, the largest annual increase since 1999. Additionally, in 2021, adolescent opioid overdose deaths increased by over 100%, with Latino adolescents experiencing the second highest increase across all races and ethnicities. Further, research has found that Latino individuals with opioid use disorder often experience health care disparities, which are exacerbated by social and cultural factors, including the stigma linked to mental illness and treatment in Hispanic culture. This webinar will address the unique sociocultural factors that influence opioid use and access to prevention, treatment and recovery among Hispanic/Latino populations, and will discuss strategies to enhance engagement in care. 

Educational Objectives:

• Explore the current state of drug overdose and opioid use disorder among Hispanic/Latino populations.
• Identify health disparities in access to quality substance use treatment and recovery services for Hispanics/Latinos.
• Discuss the contextual issues and treatment barriers that impact rates of opioid use disorder (OUD) and opioid overdose in Hispanic/Latino populations.
• Explore public health approaches and recovery supports to increase access and engagement in treatment for Hispanics/Latinos.

Support for the Program:
Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by grant no. 1H79TI081968 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.