Dr. Abha Agrawal, MD, FACP, FACHE’s Post

Access to the internet is a overlooked social determinant of health 🛜 🌐 An article from Harvard Public Health emphasizes how "digital redlining" perpetuates health inequities, particularly among marginalized groups such as low-income families and communities of color. This practice limits access to essential services like healthcare, education, and job opportunities. Here are the key bullet points from the article: - Digital Divide as a Health Equity Issue: Lack of broadband access disproportionately affects marginalized communities, limiting access to healthcare, education, and employment opportunities. - Digital Redlining: Some internet providers exclude low-income areas from broadband services, reinforcing systemic inequities. - Health Implications: Broadband access is essential for telehealth, which has grown in importance, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. - Call to Action: Ensuring digital access for all is a vital step toward reducing health inequities and creating a more inclusive society. For full details, read the article here: https://lnkd.in/eEiD_gQe #ConsortiumofDEIHealthEducators #DEI #HealthcareEducation #DiversityandInclusion #DiversityInMedicine #MedicalEducation #HealthEquity #DigitalHealth

Over 42 million Americans still lack access to broadband. Healthcare systems across the nation are intensifying efforts to screen for #socialdeterminants, though broadband and digital device access are not consistently included in these screening efforts.  Our latest viewpoint, published today in JAMA, Journal of the American Medical Association, discusses the intersection of #broadbandaccess, #digitalredlining, and #healthcare. To bridge the digital divide, my coauthors Professor Cristina Gago, Kate Rodriguez, and I recommend: - Standardize #SDOH screenings to include broadband and digital access. - Adapt existing digital access and literacy surveys for integration within routine SDOH screening practices. - Include relevant digital resources in existing SDOH repositories to support healthcare personnel. - Utilize methods like texting, phone calls, printed resource guides, and in-person walk-in hours to connect patients with resources. - Advocate for universal broadband access through policymaking, leveraging programs like the Affordable Connectivity Program and the Digital Equity Act. Check out the full article ⬇ https://lnkd.in/ezzYUEmF #DigitalEquity #HealthDisparities #SDOH #PublicHealth Boston University School of Public Health

Depending on where you live, the internet offered to you may be faster or slower. In Oklahoma City, OK, more than 7 times as many households in poor neighborhoods were offered slow internet as in upper-income neighborhoods. An investigation found that AT&T, Verizon, EarthLink, and CenturyLink disproportionately offered lower-income and least-White neighborhoods slow internet service for the same price as speedy connections they offered in other parts of different cities. Discriminatory disinvestment in broadband infrastructure widens existing disparities in access to healthcare, education, employment, social services, etc. and perpetuates health inequities. Ending this discriminatory practice requires a comprehensive strategy involving healthcare systems, research initiatives, public outreach, and policymakers.

Bridging the Digital Divide to Advance Health Equity Addressing the digital divide is crucial to achieving health equity, especially as healthcare shifts towards digital solutions. Harvard Public Health underscores the importance of digital access in promoting equitable healthcare for underserved communities. Learn more on @publichealthmag: https://hubs.la/Q02XyRlh0.

In recent years, the weaknesses in #healthcare systems have become clear in all countries, regardless of income level. Nevertheless, inadequate access to healthcare systems (but also to #education systems) poses a threat that affects at least half of the world's population. 🩺 Joel Alex [L.I.O.N] and his team at Urban Tech For Hope use technology to improve access to healthcare, education and other essential services in underserved communities in #Kenya! 💛 The social enterprise provides cutting-edge solutions to addess the challenges faced by underserved communities. Their telemedicine services offer easy access to healthcare services and are a result of collaboration between clinicians and patients. Joel is a social entrepreneur and passionate advocate for the use of technology to address the challenges faced by underserved communities. As founder and CEO of Urban Tech For Hope, he has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by marginalized communities. He is committed to using his skills and experience to create a more just and equitable world. Global Solutions Initiative #YGCRecouplingAwards #GSS2024 #YGC24

The rural-urban healthcare divide is a challenge we cannot afford to ignore. Access to quality care in rural areas often lags behind urban counterparts, but digital health innovation offers a promising solution to bridge this gap. 🌐🏥 By leveraging technology, we can empower providers, enhance patient outcomes, and address disparities in America’s heartland. The potential to connect underserved communities with cutting-edge solutions is immense—bringing equity, efficiency, and accessibility to the forefront of care. What role do you think digital health can play in transforming rural healthcare? Link: https://lnkd.in/eYTzwsgK #DigitalHealth #HealthcareInnovation #RuralHealth #HealthEquity

Time for Change in Social Care! The social care industry is at a turning point, and digital transformation is key. Here are some eye-opening facts: - Growing Demand: With the aging population, demand for social care is skyrocketing. By 2030, the number of people aged 65+ is expected to rise by 44%! 📈 - Resource Management: Digital tools can streamline operations and reduce admin burdens, letting care providers focus more on delivering quality care. 🛠️ - Better Outcomes: Telehealth and electronic health records improve patient outcomes by enhancing communication and providing timely info. 💡 - Workforce Support: Our social care workforce is under pressure. Digital solutions can automate routine tasks, offer professional development, and boost job satisfaction. 🙌 - Personalised Care: Digital innovations allow for personalized care plans tailored to individual needs, improving quality of life. 🌟 Embracing digital change isn’t just about new tech—it’s about transforming care delivery to meet today’s and tomorrow’s needs. Let’s drive this change and make a positive impact! #SocialCare #DigitalTransformation #HealthCareInnovation #FutureOfCare #TechInCare #PatientOutcomes #WorkforceSupport

Digital equity is public health!

Underserved communities possess incredible resilience – the key to better health outcomes. But how do we move beyond recognizing it to amplifying their strengths? Here's how Recentering our approach becomes paramount. Here’s a roadmap to champion strengths and foster self-determination: ✳️ Asset-Based Approach: Unearth and leverage the rich tapestry of local strengths. This goes beyond acknowledgment; it involves showcasing tangible success stories where community assets have been transformative in health initiatives. It’s about building upon existing foundations. ✳️ Cultivating Robust Partnerships: Forge strategic collaborations that transcend transactional engagements. Strong community partnerships are not just beneficial; they are the very bedrock upon which successful initiatives stand. It’s a call to invest time, build trust, and truly understand the community’s needs. ✳️ Cultural Competence in Care: Tailor health services with precision, respecting the unique cultural contexts of underserved communities. It’s more than a checklist; it’s an ongoing commitment to ensuring care aligns intimately with their values and preferences, fostering a culture of inclusivity. ✳️ Community-Led Programs: Hand over the reins. Empower communities to actively shape the design and implementation of health programs. This approach instills a profound sense of ownership, leading to sustained impact and fostering a collaborative ethos. ✳️ Technology for Inclusivity: Embrace cutting-edge tech solutions thoughtfully. Explore avenues like telehealth, mobile apps, or community-driven health platforms that not only bridge accessibility gaps but are co-created with the communities they serve. It’s about technology as an enabler, not a solution imposed from above. Share a small resilience-driven win you're proud of. Let's celebrate what's working. #patientcenteredcare #healthinnovation #healthsystemrefom #healthliteracy #patientengagement #healthcareonlinkedin #patientexperience #qualityimprovement #personcenteredcare #healthequity #healthequitynow #sdoh #valuebasedcare #valuebasedhealthcare #personcenteredcare #wholepersoncare