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Harsh realities meet digital progress

21% of Black adults say it’s difficult to find a doctor who treats them with dignity and respect¹. Less than 15% of children and families living in poverty receive mental health services when they need it². Healthcare isn’t equitable, and it’s disproportionately hurting communities of color and low-income communities.

What can health systems do to combat inequities? Many organizations are turning to digital solutions to better care for and meet the needs of underserved populations. In this week’s bulletin, we explore the health equity imperative, what health systems need to do to address healthcare inequities, and how digital solutions can help. Let’s dive in.

Industry insights

• Download – The Digital Solution Framework for Achieving Health Equity [AVIA]: Here are the 12 digital solutions every health system needs to advance health equity.
• How Community Resources Referral Platforms Improve Health Equity [AVIA]: Community resource referral platforms can improve access to care while reducing care disparities. Explore the role these digital solutions play in health equity.
• Outreach and Access are Keys to Reducing Health Care Inequites [NEJM]: Learn how NEJM council members are addressing health inequities during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
• Lack of Health Services and Transportation Impede Access to Vaccine in Communities of Color [WSJ]: Health systems are facing major COVID-19 vaccine distribution hurdles in communities of color. Here’s how to overcome them.

AVIA events

Mar. 2, 2021: AVIA Connect Health Equity Q&A with Sarah Carroll, Director at AVIA; Brett Ramsey, Healthcare Innovation Lab at BJC HealthCare/Washington University; Mindi Knebel, CEO at Kaizen Health; and Erin Booker, Vice President for Community Health and Engagement at Christiana Care |  Log in to AVIA Connect to participate

See all events

AVIA expert spotlight

“Healthcare has dramatically advanced over the last few decades, but we’ve left underserved communities and communities of color behind. This has to change. I would encourage my colleagues across the industry to ask about the progress being made at their organizations to address racism and advance equity, and then explore a growing number of innovative digital solutions to make progress faster.” – Sarah Carroll, Senior Director, Center for Care Transformation

Read Sarah’s interview

Background: Understanding the short history of health equity

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, the first report on health equity was released in 1985, mobilizing nation-wide efforts to eliminate health and healthcare disparities. The Report on Black and Minority Health was the first of many initiatives aimed at reducing the care gap for low-income communities and communities of color. As we acknowledge the work that has been done in 36 years to reduce health inequities across the country, we must also recognize how far we have to go to achieve truly equitable care in our country.