Latinos may face additional social and cultural barriers in accessing care for opioid addiction. Medical providers at Esperanza Health Center are trying to change that.

In Chicago, 741 people died of opioid overdoses in 2016 and nearly 17 percent of those victims were Latino. Most overdose deaths were from heroin use or illicit fentanyl, though some residents died from from opioid pain relievers and methadone, according to the city’s Department of Public Health.

Dr. Sylvia Shokunbi and behavioral health consultant Daifeny Arias of Esperanza Health Centers work with Latino patients on fighting opioid addiction through the center’s Medication Assistance Treatment Program.

GUESTS: Dr. Sylvia Shokunbi of Esperanza Health Centers

Daifeny Arias, Behavioral Health Consultant at Esperanza Health Centers

LEARN MORE: Jump In Overdoses Shows Opioid Epidemic Has Worsened (NPR 3/6/18)

Latinos Are Hit Especially Hard By The Opioid Crisis In Mass. But Why? (WBUR 5/3/18)

Illinois Comprehensive Opioid Data Report (Illinois Department of Public Health 12/4/17)