Substance use during pregnancy remains a major public health concern in the United States, contributing to adverse maternal and infant outcomes, including preterm birth, neonatal abstinence syndrome, and increased maternal mortality. Although universal screening during prenatal care is recommended to identify women with substance use disorders (SUDs) and connect them to treatment, screening and treatment engagement remain inconsistent, and many women do not receive needed care. Understanding how screening relates to treatment access—and how disparities across race, income, and other factors shape this continuum of care—is critical for improving maternal health equity and strengthening perinatal substance use services.

This article explores screening practices for perinatal SUDs and maternal hypertensive disorders in the US to help address gaps in care for pregnant individuals.

Don’t have access to the full text? Email Brooke N. Lombardi, (bnlombardi@unc.edu), to request a pdf version.