Investigating how county incarceration affects substance use treatment access and outcomes
Official title: Substance use treatment and county incarceration: Reducing inequities in substance use treatment need, availability, use, and outcomes
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-10929937 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the number of people in jail in different counties affects the availability of treatment for substance use issues, especially for racial and ethnic minorities, to help improve access to care for those who need it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $722,566 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA055606-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10929937 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals aged 21 and older who are experiencing substance use disorders and may have been involved with the criminal legal system.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have substance use disorders or are not affected by the criminal legal system may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research examines the relationship between county-level incarceration rates and the availability and use of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment services. It aims to understand how the criminal legal system impacts community needs for SUD treatment, particularly focusing on disparities faced by racial and ethnic minorities. By linking extensive data from counties across the United States, the research will analyze factors such as drug-related mortality rates and emergency department visits to identify gaps in treatment access. The findings could inform policies to improve treatment availability and outcomes for those affected by substance use disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved access to effective substance use treatment for marginalized communities, ultimately reducing health disparities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that addressing systemic inequities in healthcare access can lead to improved treatment outcomes, suggesting that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mauro, Pia M. — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Mauro, Pia M.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.