An article sheds light on a doctor from John Hopkins University who recently spoke at the Baltimore Equitable Access to Telehealth event, which was hosted by the Johns Hopkins Office of Telemedicine. The event initiated discussions on how telemedicine has the potential to address health disparities, both locally and globally. It is crucial to acknowledge the significance of equity in ensuring that all communities have access to high-quality healthcare, no matter of their socioeconomic status, race, or location.
According to research, a difference exists in the utilization of telehealth services. In 2022, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Health Policy conducted a comprehensive study, which found that individuals from Black, Asian, and Latino communities, aged 65 and older, as well as those with the lowest incomes and education levels, were the least likely to benefit from telehealth services.
Dr. Lisa A Cooper has devoted the last 30 years of her career to producing scientific evidence and uncovering the systemic inequalities and discrimination that restrict healthcare access for specific groups. Dr. Cooper has wholeheartedly acknowledged the transformative potential of telemedicine through virtual care. It has transformed healthcare access, and early research suggests that it can help achieve critical goals such as enhancing patient satisfaction, improving clinical outcomes, and promoting health equity .
