Understanding the True Cost of Maternal OUD and the Opportunity to impact Outcomes with Digital Interventions
Maternal opioid use disorder continues to place significant strain on health systems, with rising rates of OUD among pregnant individuals and growing financial and clinical impacts for both infants and mothers. As shown in the infographic, the cost burden exceeds $40,000 per affected infant, driven by higher hospitalization expenses, neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NAS), and long‑term healthcare utilization.
For mothers, the challenges extend beyond delivery, with higher rates of co‑occurring mental health concerns and increased medical needs. These ripple effects highlight an urgent need for earlier identification, better coordination, and sustained support throughout pregnancy and postpartum.
Digital interventions offer a promising path forward. Tools that streamline referral to care, support engagement through recovery, and provide continuous guidance during the perinatal period can meaningfully reduce costs while improving outcomes for both mother and child.
This is the moment to rethink maternal OUD care – and leverage the digital solutions proven to make a measurable difference.
