Health equity is a pressing issue in the US. Marginalized communities are disproportionately affected by a lack of access to quality healthcare—but where can change really start? It starts with knowing what (and whose) needs are unmet.
Our second annual Let’s Talk About Health Equity Report provides critical insights into the current state of healthcare in the United States, shedding light on points of satisfaction and challenges and highlighting people’s unmet healthcare needs. This report offers a comprehensive view of key trends and health disparities and articulates solutions to drive greater health equity. We analyzed primary data trends from our proprietary research survey to capture these sentiments.
Keep reading to learn more about our report’s key findings.
Current sentiments towards healthcare
The United States is a leader in scientific advancement and medical innovation, ranking first in the Science and Technology category of the 2022 World Index of Healthcare Innovation [1]. However, many still lack access to the care they need, with only 16% of respondents strongly agreeing that healthcare is readily accessible. The top reported challenges include unexpected costs (59%), understanding benefits (38%), and a lack of control over their care (22%).
Today’s barriers to health equity
Socioeconomic Factors
The high costs, lack of transparency, and unexpected bills associated with today’s healthcare system create barriers to good health.
- 51% of respondents feel healthcare is unaffordable, and 81% feel high costs prevent equal access to healthcare.
- 53% of respondents canceled a healthcare appointment within the past 12 months, citing cost as the primary reason.
- Many Americans do not have the healthcare savings necessary to receive care when needed. 65% of respondents did not save for health expenses last year, while 22% saved less than they had hoped.
Geographical Factors
Geographic location influences transportation access, commute time, and the availability of healthcare providers. The consequences may lead to poorer management of chronic illness and, thus, poorer health outcomes.
Nearly half of all respondents (45%) spend 15-30 minutes getting to and from their primary doctor's office, while 27% spend more than 30 minutes.
Compared to members of other racial and ethnic groups, more black respondents spend longer than 15 minutes traveling to and from their primary doctor's office.
Education and Health Literacy Factors
Education and health literacy, or the ability to understand healthcare information, can significantly impact a person's ability to find and use information and services to make health-related decisions.
Respondents with a higher level of education are also more likely to feel that the healthcare system focuses on reactive care rather than preventative care.
28% of respondents with less than a high school diploma reported never knowing their healthcare costs before an appointment, compared to 6% of respondents with a doctorate.
Social Inclusion and Discrimination Factors
Discrimination and social exclusion against certain groups contribute to negative disparate outcomes for many Americans.
- 47% of the US population worry that their healthcare provider will dismiss their symptoms
- 87% of respondents who identify as LGBTQIA+ have negative feelings towards the fairness of healthcare in the US
Perceptions of at-home healthcare
Overall perceptions of at-home healthcare are improving, with 41% of respondents saying their impression of at-home healthcare this year is better than last year’s. 34% of respondents feel “optimistic” about at-home collection kits, and 63% agree that at-home healthcare options would help them take care of themselves.
How at-home healthcare can address barriers to health equity
Opportunities for at-home care are continuing to grow. Expanding in-home care capabilities can increase people’s access to care and support while also enabling them to manage their health more actively.
Addressing socioeconomic barriers
According to respondents, high healthcare costs and unexpected bills leave them feeling a profound sense of injustice—often linked with regret, anger, frustration, and helplessness. More cost transparency can help people feel in more control of their finances.
Addressing geographical barriers
Traveling to in-person healthcare appointments can be frustrating and time-consuming. For many respondents, a busy work schedule is a barrier to healthcare access.
Addressing education and health literacy
At-home healthcare options, such as testing with lab results from home, can help increase health literacy by empowering and educating patients with crucial health insights. With a desire to better advocate for themselves and make more informed healthcare decisions, 79% of respondents prefer to have their lab test results before a doctor's appointment.
Addressing social inclusion and discrimination
The ability to receive empowering health insights from the comfort and privacy of the home is a significant benefit, especially for members of marginalized groups who have experienced discrimination in a healthcare setting.
Conclusion
The results of our Let’s Talk About Health Equity 2024 Report assert the strong need for more affordable, accessible, and equitable healthcare options. People want to manage their health proactively but struggle to do so due to barriers related to socioeconomic status, geography, education and health literacy, and social inclusion and discrimination. As such, there is a need to reimagine healthcare delivery through an equity lens to close care gaps and meet evolving consumer needs and expectations.
With the growing emphasis on addressing the disparities in access to care, leveraging home solutions as a complement to existing care models is vital to making healthcare more transparent and accessible for all. As at-home healthcare solutions continue to grow and evolve, so will opportunities for people to access more convenient, affordable, and inclusive care.
Download the complete report here.
