Black patients are significantly less likely to use telehealth services compared to white patients, exacerbating existing racial disparities in healthcare access, according to recent studies. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of telehealth, but this digital solution has not benefited all communities equally.
A study from JCO Oncology Practice found that while Black patients made up 43% of total patient visits at East Carolina University Health System, they accounted for only 29% of telehealth visits. Another study revealed that Black patients in New York City were 60% more likely to use emergency rooms for COVID-related care than telehealth, compared to 47% of white patients.
Dr. Neil Calman, CEO of The Institute for Family Health, warns that technology can be both “a great equalizer” and “a great discriminator.” Barriers to telehealth access for Black communities include lack of internet access, digital literacy, and telehealth awareness.
Evans Rochaste, CEO of ReKlame Health, points to systemic racism and distrust in the healthcare system as additional obstacles. “Part of the reason stigma is really high in healthcare is because of all of the systemic and structural racism that the system has,” Rochaste says.
To address these disparities, some organizations are taking proactive measures. ReKlame Health provides culturally competent psychiatric care through telehealth, while New York-Presbyterian Hospital’s Community for Tele-Paramedicine program performs home visits and assists patients with telehealth technology.
As healthcare continues to digitize, experts stress the importance of ensuring equitable implementation to prevent further widening of racial health disparities.
See “Telehealth and the Black Community: Ensuring Equity in Remote Health Care Access” (June 17, 2024)
