Improving Equity Through Health IT In The US And Internationally

The issue of rising income inequity is one of global concern. Health researchers have shown low-income countries contribute 56% of global disease burden, but account for only 2% of global expenditure on health (Mathers, 2006). In addition, there is great inequity within most countries. Among adults in the US with chronic conditions, 45% of those with below-average incomes reported going without needed care because of costs, compared with just 4% in the Netherlands (Davis, 2010). Economist Joseph Stiglitz argues, “We are paying a price in terms of our politics and society—inequity is undermining our basic values.” Many policymakers seek to understand how to bridge this gap.

This panel will look at how health IT ameliorates or deepens these health inequalities both in the US and low and middle-income countries (LMICs), and what can be done to decrease these inequalities.

We’re grateful to have the following panelists to lead our discussion:

• Gonzalo Bacigalupe, Ed. D, MPH, Professor in Counseling Psychology and Director of the Family Therapy Master's Program, University of Massachusetts Boston
• Andrea Cortinois, MPH, PhD, Assistant Professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto
• Esteban Gershanik, MD, MPH, Brigham & Women's Hospital
• Soroya Julian, MSPH, Young Professional, eSAC
• Jess Kadar, MFA, Principle Product Manager, Iora Health
• Felipe Mejia, MSc, Young Professional, eSAC

Our panelists will offer insight on the following questions and others:

1. How can health IT be used to increase equity in health care?

2. What projects can serve as examples of improved health equity?

3. How are improvements in health equity measurable? Can health IT help?

4. Are there incentives that promote improving equity in health care?

This panel is a joint discussion between the Health IT and Innovating Health Care Delivery communities, the latter being a part of the US Communities Initiative, which is supported by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), and aims to foster discussions between health care professionals on evidence-based practices, and translating these practices across disparate settings, to improve health care delivery in underserved populations in the US.

In an effort to understand the impact of our Expert Panels, please take our short (4 question) survey before the discussion begins: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MZ26R8H

Looking forward to a rich discussion next week – please join the conversation and share your questions or comments for our panelists!

Ready to join the conversation? Here’s what you need to know to get started today:

Improving Equity through Health IT in the US and Internationally March 31, 2014 - April 4, 2014 

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