Understanding how social and personal factors affect MOUD use and opioid overdose
Official title: Social and behavioral determinants of MOUD utilization and opioid overdose
Funded at University of Massachusetts Lowell · NIH-11324538 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how people’s social lives and behaviors influence access to and outcomes from medication for opioid use disorder, especially among Veterans and adults in the US.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Massachusetts Lowell NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lowell, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $693,660 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA056470-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11324538 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21+ with or at risk for opioid use disorder who are receiving or considered for MOUD, including Veterans and non-Veterans in VA and non-VA healthcare settings.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not seeking MOUD or not engaged in care may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
The project examines how social and behavioral factors, such as housing, finances, legal issues, and mental health, affect access to buprenorphine and other MOUD, as well as overdose risk. It will analyze clinical settings in VA and non-VA hospitals to identify barriers and facilitators to MOUD retention and effective treatment. Using data from patients and clinical environments, the study aims to connect social determinants with treatment outcomes to inform better care strategies for adults with opioid use disorder.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could guide interventions to improve MOUD access and retention, reducing overdose deaths among adults, including Veterans.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows social determinants influence treatment access and outcomes; this study aims to build on that with VA and non-VA clinical settings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Lowell, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yu, Hong — University of Massachusetts Lowell
- Study coordinator: Yu, Hong
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.