ARTICLE

Harnessing Digital Tools to Advance Health Equity

December 06, 2021 | 3 min Read
  • The COVID-19 pandemic – and the policy changes that accompanied it – have rapidly expanded the use of digital tools in health care, driving greater access to care, particularly for underserved populations.

During a recent panel discussion, Kristi Henderson, MedExpress CEO and senior vice president of Optum’s Center for Digital Health & Innovation, and fellow panelists from the Black Women’s Health Imperative and South Atlanta Pediatrics spoke about the growing adoption of digital tools during the pandemic and ongoing opportunities to advance health equity with innovative technology.

The panel was part of the Digital Health Equity Virtual Convening hosted by the United Health Foundation and the Morehouse School of Medicine’s National Center for Primary Care, which highlighted the results of the National Center for Primary Care Digital Health Tools Study supported by the United Health Foundation’s three-year, $1.1 million grant to Morehouse School of Medicine.

Virtual Event: Quick Takes

Redesigning and rethinking how care could be delivered in a more equitable way by harnessing digital tools and virtual platforms can lead to better health outcomes and an enhanced experience for both consumers and providers.

As more people use virtual care, UnitedHealth Group is committed to ensuring those tools are expanding access to underserved populations, helping them manage their own health decisions and health from their home.
As more people use virtual care, UnitedHealth Group is committed to ensuring those tools are expanding access to underserved populations, helping them manage their own health decisions and health from their home.

Part of that is advocating for and making permanent the flexibilities created during COVID-19, including reimbursement policy changes, to further improve access to preventive care and disease management and reduce delays in care.

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Expanding Access to Care

UnitedHealth Group is committed to expanding access to health care services, including through digital capabilities. Learn more about how we are working to advance health equity.

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