Even though we are living in a time where healthcare is increasingly more accessible to all — thanks to advancements in technology and the development of virtual telehealth services — health disparities still persist in communities of color, and particularly with women of color. 

Health disparities are “differences that exist among specific population groups in the United States in the attainment of full health potential that can be measured” (National Academy of Sciences). There are many factors that affect people’s health, including education and income levels, gender and sexual orientation, age, and race. 

The advancements in improving women’s health have not been felt equally. For example, minority women do not receive the same quality of care that white women do. Lacking equal access to healthcare can lead to higher mortality rates, higher medical costs, lack of access to treatment, and worse illness severity. 

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, more and more people have become accustomed — and even prefer — using telehealth services. Women have always been more likely to go to the doctor than men have been, and this trend has continued when it comes to telemedicine adoption. In the average American family, women play the role of caregiver, an unpaid job that includes taking care of other family members and their health. On a telemedicine platform such as Direct2Care, women are able to receive injury advising, prescriptions, medical imaging, lab work, referrals, dermatology consultations, sexual health services, cold and flu advising, and more.

Not only does this save time and gas money, but can help any member of the family at any given moment. This accessibility is one of the many ways that telemedicine works to end health disparities. 

Another hurdle that many minority women face when it comes to the quality of the healthcare they receive is the linguistic barrier. Language barriers prevent both patient and provider satisfaction — if you cannot describe how you are feeling, you are less likely to get a correct diagnosis and fully understand the treatment options that may be provided to you. Miscommunication can completely alter someone’s healthcare experience. To remedy this, Direct2Care provides translation in over 200 languages and dialects. In one study, translation tools have increased patient and provider satisfaction 92% and have increased the quality of healthcare delivered and patient safety. 

It has been found that patterns of distrust that exist in the healthcare ecosystem may impact patient’s health and the kind of care they receive. One source of distrust in healthcare are personal privacy concerns. To build a foundation of trust, Direct2Care utilizes HIPAA-compliant, encrypted, and secure technology and only works with board-certified, experienced medical providers. 

Find out more about the steps Direct2Care is taking to reach health equity here, and Happy International Women’s Day to all of the amazing women that inspire us today and everyday.