How Digitally Enabled Healthcare Is Advancing Health Equity

Improved access to care benefits everyone, but digitally enabled healthcare provides extra value to individuals from historically marginalized communities who may otherwise lack access to health services. A recent Harris Poll survey found that NIH-designated health disparity populations, like Black and Hispanic Americans, are more interested in virtual primary care than their White counterparts. Nearly four in five people mentioned having more control over their healthcare.

Forward-thinking health partners recognize the potential impact of expanded virtual primary care on marginalized communities. In the following interview, Ashok Chennuru, Carelon’s Global Chief Data and Insights Officer, discusses how it’s playing a significant role in advancing health equity.

Q: Ashok, what are some barriers to care that people from historically marginalized communities frequently face?

Ashok: Everyday barriers can include a wide variety of things: discrimination from care providers, limited availability of specialty care, stigma, bias, mistrust of the healthcare system, transportation issues, and work hours due to type of job or number of jobs. As an industry, we need to address these barriers. We want everyone to have easier access to the services they need to maintain and improve their health and overall well-being.

Q: How do people from marginalized communities view digitally enabled healthcare?

Ashok: Our data shows that Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian-American groups are more likely than their White counterparts to wish their primary healthcare providers used more digital communication. Being able to email or text a care provider outside of business hours is a key advantage of digitally enabled healthcare.

Q: How do people from marginalized communities view virtual primary care, and how can it play a role in healthcare?

Ashok: Overall, surveys show that more people from historically marginalized communities see the benefits of digitally enabled healthcare. Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian Americans recognize that virtual primary care is changing healthcare for the better, and growing numbers say virtual primary care could help them take greater charge of their health. In fact, Black and Hispanic/Latino Americans report they are more likely to use virtual primary care over an in-person visit.

Q: How does digitally enabled healthcare improve health equity?

Ashok: Health equity is about giving everyone the chance to be as healthy as possible. We understand that people from historically marginalized communities want digital tools and believe increased access to care can help them better manage their own health. We also recognize that digitally enabled healthcare and tools like virtual primary care help remove social barriers to healthcare,  enabling a more personalized experience and facilitating better outcomes.

Anthem and Carelon are at the forefront of digitally enabled healthcare. We collaborate with employers to enhance care availability and lower costs. Geography and logistical challenges no longer limit someone’s reach to primary or specialty care. Employees can get the right care where and when they need it, helping cut down on emergency room visits and other unnecessary spending — and everyone benefits from improved well-being and productivity.

With powerful tools like digitally enabled care, Anthem is helping build health equity and making healthcare experiences simpler, easier, and more affordable for all.