Abstract
The prevalence of opioid use among pregnant and postpartum people is increasing in the United States. Humboldt County experiences the highest rates of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome in California, a proxy measure for Opioid Use Disorder. Provider stigma and a lack of access to Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) are two significant barriers that deter this population from seeking and retaining care, and are linked to increased opioid use and opioid overdoses. This project proposes the creation of a coalition of internal and external partners with a shared interest in expanding and providing quality care for this socially vulnerable population. The coalition will be tasked to carry out the intervention of educating healthcare providers in a chosen healthcare organization in Humboldt County on stigmatizing attitudes and how to provide Medication-Assisted Treatment to pregnant and postpartum people. By changing the environment for which this population receives care, this intervention intends to decrease opioid use and overdose by decreasing stigmatizing attitudes and increasing access to treatment.