Addressing opioid misuse and disparities in treatment access in the Deep South

Auburn University Harrison College of PharmacyCenter for Opioid Research, Education, and Outreach Multi-Year Conference Plan

NIH-funded research Auburn University at Auburn · NIH-11000188

This study is looking into how to help people in the Deep South who are struggling with opioid misuse, especially older adults, racial and ethnic minorities, and LGBTQ+ individuals, by finding out what makes it hard for them to get the treatment and support they need.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionAuburn University at Auburn NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Auburn, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11000188 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding and addressing the public health crisis of opioid misuse, particularly in the Deep South, where opioid prescribing rates are alarmingly high. The project aims to identify the populations most affected by the lack of access to treatment and harm reduction services, including older adults, racial and ethnic minorities, and LGBTQ+ individuals. By raising awareness and providing training for healthcare providers on harm reduction strategies, the initiative seeks to improve care for these vulnerable groups. The research will also explore the barriers these populations face in accessing necessary treatment and support.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include older adults, racial and ethnic minorities, and LGBTQ+ individuals who are affected by opioid misuse or have barriers to accessing treatment.

Not a fit: Patients who do not face barriers to opioid treatment or who are not part of the identified vulnerable populations may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved access to opioid use disorder treatment and harm reduction services for underserved populations.

How similar studies have performed: While addressing opioid misuse is a critical area of research, this specific approach focusing on training healthcare providers for vulnerable populations is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Auburn, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.