Healthcare organizations prioritize achieving fairness in health outcomes as their prime goal.
In a significant stride towards improving health equity, Eskaton, a senior affordable housing provider in Northern California, has recently upgraded broadband Wi-Fi at three of its communities to enhance connectivity. This move is part of a broader trend in the healthcare sector, where providers are combining thoughtful technology initiatives with patient-centered priorities to foster an environment for whole-person health to flourish.
The spotlight on this issue was particularly bright at the ViVE conference in March 2022, where healthcare providers discussed several initiatives aimed at bridging the gaps in health equity, with a strong focus on technological equity and patient access to care.
One of the key approaches highlighted was digital health innovation. By leveraging apps, AI tools, and other technologies, providers aim to personalize and simplify healthcare journeys, making care more accessible and convenient for diverse populations. For instance, Elevance Health's Sydney Health app and HealthOS use AI-driven virtual assistants and personalized provider matching to reduce barriers and extend access to tailored healthcare services.
The importance of health consumer rights was also underscored at the conference. Affordability, access, autonomy, and equity were emphasized, with the launch of the American Healthcare Consumer Bill of Rights designed to address systemic challenges and empower patients equally across demographic groups.
However, it was stressed that technology alone is not enough. Integrating AI and digital health tools must be accompanied by policies and systems that value health as a right, ensuring the equitable distribution of benefits for patients regardless of their socioeconomic status.
The Philips 2022 Future Health Index report echoes this sentiment, stating that 28% of healthcare leaders consider socially responsible care delivery as a top priority, an increase from 4% last year. Dr. J. Nwando Olayiwola, chief health equity officer and senior vice president at Humana, reiterated this point, stating that every healthcare conversation should consider the equity component.
Currently, 74% of healthcare organizations have or are developing initiatives to improve health equity in their communities, compared to 30% in 2021. Improved connectivity at Eskaton's senior housing communities, for example, allows residents to use translation apps to overcome language barriers, fostering stronger bonds through conversations.
The importance of data analytics, data management, mobility, networking, patient experience, and telehealth in working towards better digital health equity was also discussed at the conference. Keisuke Nakagawa, executive director of the UC Davis Health Cloud Innovation Center, emphasized the importance of collaboration in achieving innovation for health equity.
In an interview, Nakagawa discussed the need for collaboration in achieving innovation for health equity. The interview can be found in the article "Q&A: UC Davis Health's Keisuke Nakagawa on Innovation and Collaboration."
At the ViVE conference, Ipsos presented research on "techquity," or technological equity, and patient health access. The research underscores the growing recognition that technology can play a crucial role in improving health equity, but only when it is used thoughtfully and in conjunction with policies that prioritize health as a right.
In conclusion, the ViVE conference highlighted multi-dimensional efforts by healthcare providers combining technological innovation with policy frameworks to advance health equity by improving patient health access and empowering consumers digitally. These initiatives are a promising step towards a future where healthcare is more equitable and accessible for all.
- The integration of digital health innovation, such as AI-driven virtual assistants and personalized provider matching, is crucial in fostering a more equitable healthcare system and making care more accessible for diverse populations.
- To ensure the equitable distribution of benefits from digital health tools, it's essential to combine their use with policies and systems that value health as a right and prioritize health equity alongside technological innovation in health and wellness.
