Addressing Digital Health Inequity Requires Collaborative Approach

A recent international review found that the transition towards digital health solutions for primary care left many patients behind who already have tenuous access to healthcare, including economically disadvantaged people or those who speak English as a second language. Meanwhile, those with more means benefit disproportionately from the technology, creating an “inverse care law”. In a new PharmaPhorum article, Amanda Barrell discusses how groups like the Telehealth Equity Coalition (TEC) are working together to tackle the issue.

According to Barrell, “In the US, organisations from across patient advocacy, academia, and industry have come together to form the Telehealth Equity Coalition (TEC), with the stated aim of increasing the adoption of telehealth among ‘those who have been left out or left behind’. Launched last year, TEC argues that digital health is the key to ensuring underserved communities can access quality and affordable healthcare. ‘Access to quality care and producing great and consistent outcomes for underserved communities is a long-standing blight on our healthcare system,’ said Joel White, executive director of TEC member the Health Innovation Alliance.”

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(Source: PharmaPhorum, February 18^th, 2022)