# Health Disparities * **Definition:** Differences in health outcomes and access to healthcare services among different population groups, often influenced by social, economic, and environmental factors. * **Taxonomy:** Healthcare Topics / Health Disparities ## News * Selected news on the topic of **Health Disparities**, for healthcare technology leaders * 12.4K news items are in the system for this topic * Posts have been filtered for tech and healthcare-related keywords | Date | Title | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | 5/26/2025 | [**JAMA**](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2834439) | [[JAMA Network]] | | 4/24/2025 | [**Most hospital emergency rooms ask patients about food or housing insecurity**](https://www.chiefhealthcareexecutive.com/view/most-hospital-emergency-rooms-ask-patients-about-food-or-housing-insecurity) | [[Chief Healthcare Executive]] | | 4/8/2025 | [**The Imperative of Health Equity: Why Data and Intention Matter**](https://hitconsultant.net/2025/04/09/achieving-health-equity-best-practices-in-pediatric-care/) | [[HIT Consultant]] | | 3/26/2025 | [**Person Family Medical Center Selects Validic to Advance Heart Health in Rural North Carolina**](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/person-family-medical-center-selects-162300421.html) | [[Yahoo Finance]] | | 3/25/2025 | [**Trump cancels NIH grants on equity research - Medical Xpress**](https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-03-trump-cancels-nih-grants-equity.html) | [[MedicalXpress]] | | 3/13/2025 | [**Great leaders in healthcare - 2025 - Becker's Hospital Review**](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/lists/great-leaders-in-healthcare-2025.html) | [[Beckers Hospital Review]] | | 3/9/2025 | [**10 top threats to patient safety in 2025: ECRI**](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/patient-safety-outcomes/10-top-threats-to-patient-safety-in-2025-ecri/) | [[Beckers Hospital Review]] | | 3/7/2025 | [**Innovation and Desire for Change: How the Health Disparities Think Tank is Shaping STEM ...**](https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/innovation-and-desire-for-change-how-the-health-disparities-think-tank-is-shaping-stem-and-healthcare-equity-141546925.html) | [[Yahoo]] | | 2/4/2025 | [**Partnering with Community Organizations and Ensuring Equitable Access to ... - Healthcare IT Today**](https://www.healthcareittoday.com/2025/02/04/partnering-with-community-organizations-and-ensuring-equitable-access-to-healthcare-services-for-marginalized-and-vulnerable-populations/) | [[Healthcare IT Today]] | | 1/15/2025 | [**How Clinical Pharmacist-Led Telehealth Models Are Transforming Diabetes Care**](https://hitconsultant.net/2025/01/15/how-clinical-pharmacist-led-telehealth-models-are-transforming-diabetes-care/) | [[HIT Consultant]] | | 1/8/2025 | [**Jaishankar Inukonda Receives 2024 Global Recognition Award for Data Engineering**](https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/jaishankar-inukonda-receives-2024-global-recognition-award-for-data-engineering-1034206248) | [[Business Insider Markets]] | | 1/7/2025 | [**Hosts Open Mic on 2025**](https://www.healthitanswers.net/hosts-open-mic-on-2025/) | [[Health IT Answers]] | | 12/23/2024 | [**China's Digital Healthcare Transformation: Local Vendors Lead 2025 EHR Adoption ...**](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/chinas-digital-healthcare-transformation-local-150000005.html) | [[Yahoo Finance]] | | 12/11/2024 | [**Studies, Surveys and Reports: What Can We Learn?**](https://www.healthitanswers.net/studies-surveys-and-reports-what-can-we-learn-3/) | [[Health IT Answers]] | | 12/10/2024 | [**Loyola Medicine CEO: Community partnerships key in 2025 - Becker's Hospital Review**](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-management-administration/loyola-medicine-ceo-community-partnerships-key-in-2025.html) | [[Beckers Hospital Review]] | | 11/25/2024 | [**Wellstack Partners With Hartford HealthCare to Advance Data Integration and ... - Newswire.com**](https://www.newswire.com/news/wellstack-partners-with-hartford-healthcare-to-advance-data-22469048) | [[Newswire]] | | 11/22/2024 | [**Closing America's Diabetes Divide: A $412 Billion Opportunity to Transform Diabetes Care**](https://medcitynews.com/2024/11/closing-americas-diabetes-divide-a-412-billion-opportunity-to-transform-diabetes-care/) | [[MedCity News]] | | 11/11/2024 | [**Population Health Management Market to Grow by USD 22.55 Billion from 2024-2028 ...**](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/population-health-management-market-to-grow-by-usd-22-55-billion-from-2024-2028--driven-by-rising-adoption-of-healthcare-it-report-with-ai-impact-on-trends---technavio-302300769.html) | [[PR Newswire]] | | 11/2/2024 | [**Penn State Creates Health Equity Center for Rural, Underserved Communities**](https://www.hcinnovationgroup.com/population-health-management/health-equity/news/55240162/penn-state-creates-health-equity-center-for-rural-underserved-communities) | [[Healthcare Innovation]] | | 10/16/2024 | [**12 Compelling Sessions to Check Out at HLTH 2024 - MedCity News**](https://medcitynews.com/2024/10/12-compelling-sessions-to-check-out-at-hlth-2024/) | [[MedCity News]] | | 9/11/2024 | [**AI in healthcare: A revolution in the making**](https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/ai-in-healthcare-a-revolution-in-the-making/ar-AA1qtbNR) | msn.com | | 8/8/2024 | [**Novel AI model may enhance health data interoperability - Medical Xpress**](https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-08-ai-health-interoperability.html) | [[MedicalXpress]] | | 8/7/2024 | [**New Strategic Plan from OXIHER Aims to Bridge Health Equity Gaps in Louisiana**](https://www.ajmc.com/view/new-strategic-plan-from-oxiher-aims-to-bridge-health-equity-gaps-in-louisiana) | [[AJMC]] | | 7/18/2024 | [**Why Universal Design in Health Systems Matters for Enhancing Health Outcomes - 4**](https://blogs.perficient.com/2024/07/18/why-universal-design-in-health-systems-matters-for-enhancing-health-outcomes-4/) | [[Perficient Healthcare]] | | 4/6/2023 | [**About the Editors**](https://www.nature.com/npjwomenshealth/editors) | [[Nature]] | ## Topic Overview (Some LLM-derived content — please confirm with above primary sources) ### Key Players - **URAC**: Developed the Health Equity Accreditation to support healthcare organizations in reducing health disparities. - **Dr. Vivek Murthy**: U.S. Surgeon General addressing ongoing health disparities in tobacco use. - **Penn State College of Medicine**: Establishing the Center for Advancing Health Equity in Rural and Underserved Communities to tackle health disparities. - **Komodo Health**: Provides access to its Healthcare Map for studying the impact of diet on health outcomes, emphasizing health equity. - **AbundaBox**: A health equity-focused organization offering resources to improve access to critical health resources. - **Hartford Healthcare**: A healthcare organization collaborating with the University of Connecticut School of Law to establish a Health Equity Clinic aimed at addressing health inequities. - **Health Commons Project**: An organization focused on enhancing healthcare access and quality through data interoperability and care coordination. - **American Heart Association**: A non-profit organization focused on addressing healthcare disparities, particularly in rural areas through telehealth initiatives. - **Oracle Health and Meharry Medical College**: A partnership focused on enhancing medical education and community healthcare to address health disparities. - **Quality Insights**: An organization focused on improving healthcare quality, now led by Chief Transformation Officer Rich Greenhill, who aims to reduce health disparities. - **CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services)**: An agency that emphasizes health equity in value-based care and social determinants of health. - **OneHealthPort**: Washington State's Health Information Exchange, acquired by Health Commons Project to improve healthcare access. - **Curai Health**: A virtual care provider partnering with Priority Health to offer free virtual visits to uninsured individuals, addressing health disparities. - **Rush University Medical Center**: A medical center pioneering health equity strategies and digital technology solutions to address healthcare disparities. - **Mount Sinai Health System**: Health system opening a center for AI and human health to address healthcare inequities. - **Cigna**: A health services organization that has launched the Cigna Group Health Equity Impact Fund to address health disparities in specific communities. - **NewYork-Presbyterian**: A health system launching a $2 billion campaign to advance technologies and reduce health disparities. - **Careviso**: A company highlighting communication gaps in healthcare, particularly regarding prior authorizations. - **Wellstack**: A data integration and analytics company partnering with Hartford HealthCare to enhance patient-centered care and reduce health disparities. ### Partnerships and Collaborations - **Academy Health and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation**: Utilizing EHR and claims data to address healthcare issues, including health disparities. - **Health Equity Research Network**: A collaborative initiative involving Furman University, Yale University, and the University of California-San Diego to promote community-driven health research. - **Hartford Healthcare and University of Connecticut School of Law**: Establishing a Health Equity Clinic to address health inequities through medical-legal advocacy. - **Health Commons Project and OneHealthPort**: Acquisition aimed at enhancing healthcare access through improved data interoperability. - **American Heart Association and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation**: Funding research grants to promote collaboration between scientists and community leaders for health equity. - **Rush University Medical Center**: Collaborating with various stakeholders to implement health equity strategies and improve access to care for marginalized communities. - **CUNY and NYU Langone Health**: Collaborating to promote health equity and social justice through diabetes management initiatives. - **Priority Health and Curai Health**: A partnership providing free virtual healthcare services to uninsured residents in Michigan, aiming to improve access to care. - **Ochsner Health and Xavier University**: Collaborating to educate healthcare providers on equity and develop tailored health programs for communities affected by disparities. - **Connected Health Collaborative Community (CHcc)**: Aiming to unite various healthcare players to tackle challenges and harness connected health technologies. - **WellSpan Health and Hippocratic AI**: Collaboration to launch a GenAI healthcare agent to improve access to cancer screenings for underserved populations. - **Rocket Doctor and EngageWell**: Collaborating to improve healthcare access for underserved populations in New York City. - **Cantata Health and Diverse Board Members**: Cantata Health Solutions has expanded its board to include diverse leaders to enhance its commitment to reducing health disparities. - **Cigna and Local Nonprofits**: Cigna's initiative to collaborate with local nonprofits in Houston and Hartford to address health disparities through targeted funding. - **Clearway Health and Sinai Chicago**: Enhancing specialty pharmacy services to improve medication access and adherence for chronic conditions. - **Wellstack and Hartford HealthCare**: Partnering to enhance data integration and patient-centered care through advanced analytics. - **VSee Health and AbundaBox**: Collaborating to launch AbundaLife, a health record management platform aimed at consolidating fragmented medical records. - **Sheba Medical Center and Paradigm Health**: Creating a global network to enhance clinical research and improve patient access to clinical trials. - **Thumos Care**: Seeks feedback from healthcare professionals and advocacy groups to refine the AI-Enhanced Universal Health and Prevention Act. ### Innovations, Trends, and Initiatives - **Health Disparities Think Tank**: Provides young individuals opportunities to engage in research on healthcare inequities, focusing on actionable policy recommendations. - **Health Equity Initiatives**: Organizations are prioritizing health equity education to address implicit biases and improve patient outcomes. - **Universal Design in Healthcare**: Promotes accessible healthcare environments to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities through inclusive design principles. - **Health Equity Accreditation**: URAC's initiative to help organizations identify and reduce health disparities. - **Connected Health Solutions**: Transforming healthcare from reactive to proactive, focusing on patient-centered care and addressing social determinants of health. - **Value-Based Care**: A healthcare model emphasizing quality and effectiveness to address health disparities. - **AI in Clinical Decision Support (CDS)**: AI systems assist healthcare professionals but can exacerbate health disparities if not developed equitably. - **AI in Healthcare**: AI technologies are being leveraged to analyze social determinants of health and improve patient outcomes, particularly for marginalized communities. - **Medicare Advantage Plans**: Facing challenges in utilizing data effectively to serve vulnerable populations. - **AI-Enhanced Universal Health and Prevention Act**: Aims to provide equitable access to AI-enhanced preventive health services, focusing on community implementation and algorithmic fairness. - **Cigna Group Health Equity Impact Fund**: A $9 million fund aimed at addressing health disparities through grants for community initiatives focused on social determinants of health. - **Diet-Related Health Grant**: Komodo Health's program to support research addressing health equity and diet-related diseases. - **Connected Health Collaborative Community**: Aims to unite various healthcare players to tackle challenges and leverage opportunities in connected health. - **Digital Health Solutions**: The growth of digital health tools is improving patient care and fostering collaboration across various healthcare sectors. - **Telehealth Programs**: Emerging as a solution to provide immediate medical attention in schools, significantly reducing absenteeism and improving healthcare access. - **Medicaid and CHIP Amendments**: Allowing coverage for traditional healthcare practices to improve access for tribal communities. - **Pharmacist-led Telehealth Models**: Utilize AI-driven algorithms for personalized diabetes management, enhancing access to care for underserved communities. - **Telehealth Solutions**: Innovative technology solutions like telemedicine stations in schools are being implemented to improve access to care in underserved areas. - **Create Health Ventures' Investment Strategy**: Focuses on B2B solutions that tackle significant healthcare challenges, enhancing patient engagement and care delivery. ### Challenges and Concerns - **Health Disparities**: Racial and ethnic minority groups face significant barriers in accessing healthcare, leading to poorer health outcomes. - **Health Disparities in Tobacco Use**: Despite declines in smoking rates, disparities persist among racial and ethnic groups, necessitating targeted interventions. - **Healthcare Disparities**: Rural and underserved populations face significant health risks and poorer outcomes, necessitating targeted interventions to improve access to care. - **Maternal Health Disparities**: Unconscious bias in healthcare contributes to maternal health disparities, necessitating targeted solutions to improve outcomes for marginalized groups. - **Social Determinants of Health (SDoH)**: Economic disparities and rural challenges exacerbate healthcare inequality, impacting access and outcomes. - **Health Equity Regulations**: Despite awareness of health equity issues, significant progress remains lacking, necessitating better enforcement and data collection. - **Social Determinants of Health**: Addressing health disparities requires a focus on nonmedical factors like housing and nutrition, while avoiding the medicalization of these issues. - **Underrepresentation in Healthcare Workforce**: Certain demographic groups remain underrepresented, necessitating ongoing efforts to improve diversity. - **Rural-Urban Disparities**: Challenges in healthcare access and IT infrastructure in rural areas compared to urban centers, complicating interoperability. - **Digital Divide**: The challenge of ensuring equitable access to telehealth services, particularly for vulnerable populations. - **Data Privacy and Interoperability**: Barriers in sharing health personnel and data across jurisdictions hinder equitable access to care, exacerbated by cumbersome credentialing processes. - **Bias in AI Algorithms**: Misuse of AI can lead to unequal resource allocation and deepen existing health disparities. - **Social Determinants of Health Screening**: Less than one-third of emergency departments routinely screen for social determinants of health, missing opportunities to support vulnerable populations. - **Algorithmic Bias**: Concerns regarding bias in AI models and the need for transparency in data sourcing to prevent exacerbating health disparities. - **AI Bias**: Concerns about AI systems perpetuating existing health disparities if not trained on diverse data reflecting various populations. - **Underrepresentation in Clinical Trials**: Minority and rural populations are significantly underrepresented, limiting access to medical advancements. - **Access to Care in Rural Areas**: Barriers such as health literacy, transportation, and food insecurity continue to affect healthcare access for low-income individuals. ## Related Topics [[Healthcare Disparities]]; [[Health Inequities]]; [[Healthcare Access Disparities]]; [[Maternal Health Disparities]]; [[Healthcare Inequities]]; [[Access Disparities]]; [[Health Equity]]