A new report called "Equity in the Digital Age: How Health Information Technology Can Reduce Disparities," released by health and consumer advocacy organizations at a White House Summit on Achieving eHealth Equity, has found that racial disparities could be reduced through strategic use of new technologies in healthcare.
The report offers policy recommendations for how advancements can best improve health in all communities and highlights the importance of improving access to new technologies in underserved areas to avoid exacerbating existing disparities.
One area in which health information technology can reduce disparities, according to the report, is in data collection and analysis. Enhanced demographic information could help pinpoint disparities and lead to equitable provision of services.
Other recommendations, according to the report, are:
• Expand access to health information technology in communities of color
• Minimize barriers to online eligibility and enrollment for health insurance
• Improve patient care and data collection
• Protect the security and confidentiality of data
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The report offers policy recommendations for how advancements can best improve health in all communities and highlights the importance of improving access to new technologies in underserved areas to avoid exacerbating existing disparities.
One area in which health information technology can reduce disparities, according to the report, is in data collection and analysis. Enhanced demographic information could help pinpoint disparities and lead to equitable provision of services.
Other recommendations, according to the report, are:
• Expand access to health information technology in communities of color
• Minimize barriers to online eligibility and enrollment for health insurance
• Improve patient care and data collection
• Protect the security and confidentiality of data
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