Hefei Wen, PhD

Phone: 859.218.4997
Email: hefei.wen@uky.edu

College of Public Health, Department of Health Management and Policy
University of Kentucky
111 Washington Ave., Suite 103C
Lexington, KY 40536

Completed Projects - (1)

The Impact of Medicaid Expansion on Rural/Urban Variations in Access to Substance Use Treatment
Research indicates that substance use treatment access is insufficient in rural areas. We made use of our rare access to restricted use NSDUH data to offer new insights about the impact of Medicaid expansion on access to substance abuse treatment among individuals with substance abuse disorders, analyzing 13 years (2004-2016).
Research center: Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
Topics: Health disparities and health equity, Health services, Substance use and treatment

Illicit Drug and Opioid Use Disorders Among Non-Metropolitan Residents
Policy Brief
Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
Date: 01/2018
We provide estimates of the prevalence of illicit drug and opioid use disorders among non-metropolitan adults ages 18-64. Prevalence rates did not decline from 2011-2013 to 2014-2015 despite the implementation of major substance use treatment policies. Of particular concern, heroin use disorder prevalence increased in recent years.
Perceived Treatment Need and Utilization for Illicit Drug and Opioid Use Disorders in Non-Metropolitan Areas
Policy Brief
Rural and Underserved Health Research Center
Date: 01/2018
The vast majority of non-metropolitan adults 18-64 who satisfy criteria for an illicit drug use or opioid use disorder do not perceive a need for treatment or receive formal substance use treatment. Despite policies to increase treatment access during the 2008-2015 study period, we found few changes in perceived treatment need and utilization.