Wednesday, Mar 25, 2026 • 12 pm to 1 pm

Virtual

Training Sessions

Abstract

Structural stigma and bias within healthcare systems profoundly influence how individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) are identified, treated, and supported across the continuum of care. These forces are often embedded in policies, clinical workflows, language, and institutional norms—shaping outcomes long before a person encounters an individual provider. While perinatal addiction medicine is highlighted as a critical case example, the session takes a broad, inclusive view of how structural stigma impacts people of all genders and life stages interacting with healthcare, behavioral health, child welfare, and legal systems. Participants will explore how bias at the system level contributes to disparities in access, engagement, and outcomes in SUD treatment, and will be guided toward practical, trauma-informed and responsive strategies to reduce harm, improve equity, and foster more compassionate, effective care.

Objectives

  • Define structural stigma and implicit bias and describe how they manifest within healthcare and related systems affecting individuals with substance use disorders.
  • Examine the impact of structural stigma on SUD outcomes, using perinatal addiction care as a case example while applying insights to broader populations and care settings.
  • Identify policies, practices, and language within healthcare systems that perpetuate bias and barriers to equitable SUD treatment.
  • Apply system-level and clinical strategies to reduce stigma, promote trauma-responsive care, and improve engagement and outcomes for individuals navigating substance use care across diverse settings.

Accreditation

PHYSICIAN (CME)

The University of Pittsburgh designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

NURSING (CNE)

A maximum of 1.0 nursing contact hours will be awarded. Participants will be able to claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the program.

SOCIAL WORK

As a Jointly Accredited Organization, University of Pittsburgh is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. University of Pittsburgh maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 1.0 continuing education credits.

Psychologist (APA)

Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs.

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