Defense Date

4-10-2025

Graduation Date

Spring 5-9-2025

Availability

Immediate Access

Submission Type

dissertation

Degree Name

PhD

Department

Health Care Ethics

School

McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts

Committee Chair

Joris Gielen

Committee Member

Gerard Magill

Committee Member

Peter Ikechukwu Osuji

Keywords

addiction, inequities, disparities, vulnerable population, biopsychosocial, systems approach, research ethics, genetics, genomics, clinical ethics, quality of care, health services, public health

Abstract

During the past few decades, health disparities and substance misuse have transformed into unprecedented healthcare crises facing contemporary society. Although enormous contributions through policies and interventions have been made to promote health equity, substantial health inequalities and disparities persist, particularly in addiction health services and policies at multiple healthcare system levels for the marginalized, minoritized, and vulnerable populations.

The thesis of this dissertation asserts that a biopsychosocial ‘systems’ thinking towards treating addictive disorders along with systematic interventions and coordinated improvements specifically focused on minorities, marginalized and vulnerable populations at research, clinical, public health and global levels will significantly reduce health disparities and inequalities in addiction health services. These interventions will increase accessibility to effective addiction treatments, reduce barriers in delivering quality care, improve patient outcomes, and create health policies tailored towards an increasingly marginalized and vulnerable patient base for a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive health care system.

The key components in this dissertation seeks to do the following: (i) Describe and examine disparities in health and the health care system for the minorities, marginalized and vulnerable populations in addiction health services; (ii) Explain and demonstrate the effectiveness and necessity for a biopsychosocial ‘systems’ thinking for treating addiction for the marginalized, minoritized, and vulnerable subgroups; and (iii) Propose systematic interventions and coordinated improvements at research, clinical, public health and global levels for a more inclusive, equitable and diverse health care system tailored to respond to the needs of an increasingly vulnerable patient base with substance use disorders.

Language

English

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