How Social Factors Affect Substance Abuse Treatment by Gender – Bioengineer.org

Report on Sex Differences in the Impact of Social Determinants on Substance Use Disorder Treatment Outcomes

Introduction: Contextualizing SUD Treatment within the Sustainable Development Goals

A study by Chavez, C.L.J., Peltier, M.R., and McKee, S.A. examines the differential impact of social determinants of health on substance use disorder (SUD) treatment outcomes between sexes. This research provides critical insights for achieving key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). The findings underscore that effective SUD treatment, a core component of SDG Target 3.5, requires a nuanced understanding of how gender intersects with social and economic factors.

Key Findings and Alignment with SDGs

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The study directly addresses SDG Target 3.5, which aims to strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse. It reveals that universal treatment approaches are insufficient, as social determinants create disparate outcomes. To ensure well-being for all, interventions must be tailored to address these specific social barriers.

• Social determinants, including socioeconomic status, education, and access to healthcare, are significant predictors of treatment success.
• Biological and neurobiological differences between sexes interact with these social factors, creating complex challenges for treatment efficacy.
• The research calls for a shift from a one-size-fits-all model to a multifaceted perspective that improves overall health outcomes for individuals with SUDs.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

The report’s central theme aligns with SDG 5 by highlighting the unique, gender-specific barriers that impede access to and success in SUD treatment. Achieving gender equality requires dismantling these structural and societal obstacles.

1. Barriers for Females: Women often face distinct challenges such as child-rearing responsibilities, heightened societal stigma, and different social support needs. These factors create inequalities in treatment access and effectiveness, undermining progress toward gender equality in health.
2. Barriers for Males: Men encounter different social hurdles, including cultural expectations of masculinity that discourage seeking help and expressing vulnerability. This can lead to delayed treatment engagement and poorer outcomes.
3. Gender-Sensitive Interventions: The findings advocate for the development of gender-sensitive frameworks that recognize and address these distinct experiences, promoting equitable access to care.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The study demonstrates how social determinants of health perpetuate inequalities in health outcomes, a central concern of SDG 10. By focusing on the differential impacts on males and females, the research provides a roadmap for creating more equitable health systems.

• The effectiveness of treatment is influenced by non-medical factors like social support networks and physical environments, which are often unequally distributed.
• Addressing the specific needs of different genders within SUD treatment programs is a direct strategy for reducing health inequalities.
• The research supports policies that ensure social and economic inclusion in health services, irrespective of gender.

Policy Recommendations and Strategic Partnerships (SDG 17)

Developing Responsive Health Policies

The implications of this research call for a transformation in health policy to better align with the SDGs. Policymakers must integrate a gender-based analysis into the design and funding of SUD treatment programs.

1. Formulate policies that explicitly address the social determinants affecting different genders.
2. Allocate funding for gender-responsive treatment services and further research into tailored interventions.
3. Develop public health messaging that challenges gender-based stigmas associated with substance use and seeking treatment.

Fostering Multi-Sectoral Collaboration for the Goals (SDG 17)

Achieving these goals requires robust partnerships, as emphasized by SDG 17. The report highlights the necessity of collaboration across various sectors to address the complex web of factors influencing SUD treatment.

• Healthcare Sector: Must develop and implement clinically effective, gender-sensitive treatment modalities.
• Social Work and Community Organizations: Essential for building the social support networks crucial for recovery.
• Education and Policy Sectors: Key to addressing systemic issues like stigma and socioeconomic barriers.

Conclusion

The research by Chavez, Peltier, and McKee provides an evidence-based foundation for advancing SUD treatment in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals. By integrating a gender-sensitive lens that accounts for the differential impact of social determinants, healthcare systems can move toward more effective, equitable, and empathetic care. This approach is fundamental to achieving SDG 3, SDG 5, and SDG 10, ensuring that recovery and support are accessible to all individuals, thereby fostering healthier and more inclusive societies.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article’s central theme is substance use disorders (SUDs), their treatment, and the associated health outcomes. It directly addresses the global health issue of SUDs, which the WHO notes “affect millions worldwide, contributing to a range of health issues.”
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • A primary focus of the research is the “impact of sex differences” on treatment outcomes. The article details how unique social barriers, stigma, and societal expectations affect males and females differently, calling for “gender-sensitive frameworks” and “gender-responsive treatment services.”
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The article discusses how social determinants of health, such as socioeconomic status and access to healthcare, create unequal conditions that affect SUD treatment. By highlighting the different barriers faced by males and females, it addresses inequalities in health outcomes based on gender and social standing.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The text explicitly “serves as a clarion call for collaboration across multiple sectors—healthcare, social work, education, and community organizations—to address the intricate web of social determinants impacting SUD treatment.” This highlights the need for multi-stakeholder partnerships to achieve health goals.

2. Specific SDG Targets

1. Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.
   • The entire article is dedicated to improving the effectiveness of “treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs).” It analyzes factors influencing “treatment outcomes” and advocates for tailored interventions to enhance the quality and success of SUD treatment.
2. Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
   • The article points out that “the stigma associated with substance use can be amplified for women,” and they face “unique barriers” like child-rearing responsibilities. These societal factors act as a form of discrimination that hinders their access to and success in treatment.
3. Target 5.c: Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels.
   • The research concludes that “empirical data should inform future health policies and treatment frameworks.” It calls for policymakers to consider the findings and promote “funding initiatives that promote gender-responsive treatment services,” which aligns directly with creating gender-sensitive policies.
4. Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome…
   • The study’s goal is to understand why treatment outcomes vary between genders to create more effective and equitable care. By advocating for tailored interventions that address the “unique challenges faced by each gender,” the research aims to reduce the inequality in treatment success rates.

3. Relevant Indicators

1. Indicator for Target 3.5: Coverage of treatment interventions (pharmacological, psychosocial and rehabilitation and aftercare services) for substance use disorders.
   • The article implies the need to measure treatment effectiveness and uptake. Implied indicators include:
     • Rates of treatment uptake for SUDs, disaggregated by sex.
     • Success rates of different SUD treatment modalities, disaggregated by sex.
     • Rates of treatment engagement and completion, disaggregated by sex.
2. Indicator for Target 5.c: Proportion of countries with systems to track and make public allocations for gender equality and women’s empowerment.
   • The article’s call for “funding initiatives that promote gender-responsive treatment services” implies an indicator related to policy and resource allocation. A relevant, implied indicator would be:
     • Existence of national policies, strategies, or funding mechanisms for gender-responsive SUD treatment.
3. Indicator for Target 10.3: Proportion of the population reporting having personally felt discriminated against or harassed in the previous 12 months on the basis of a ground of discrimination prohibited under international human rights law.
   • The article discusses how stigma (a form of discrimination) affects treatment access for both men and women. An implied indicator would be:
     • Reduction in the gap of SUD treatment outcomes between different genders, reflecting more equitable access and effectiveness.

Summary Table

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: bioengineer.org