Data, Ethnicity and Health Inequalities.

In 2021 the King's Fund commissioned by the NHS Race and Health Observatory, undertook an in-depth examination of the policies shaping the NHS’s approach to tackling ethnic health inequalities. The review explored whether these policies are being effectively implemented and what steps are needed to enhance their impact. Using a combination of policy analysis, literature review, and interviews with key stakeholders, the report shedded light on the urgent need for national and system leaders to address disparities in health outcomes, access to care, and workforce experiences for Black and minority ethnic groups.

I mention this due to recently seeing on BBC News a discussion on Maternity Care Disparity. Southwark Council Maternity Care Commission, led by Cllr Evelyn Akoto shared why the commission was formed.

In the UK, Black and Asian women, as well as those living in the most deprived areas, have a higher risk of dying during and up to six weeks after pregnancy than White women. (Statistics taken from a UK report on deaths in mothers: MBRRACE-UK ‘Saving Lives Improving Mothers’ Care 2023’ report )

The statistics are alarming: Asian women are nearly twice as likely to die during pregnancy, while Black women face a staggering risk, being almost four times more likely to die than their white counterparts. These figures are not just numbers; they represent lives impacted by systemic issues that need immediate attention.

Southwark is one of the most diverse boroughs in the country. 40% of their population are born outside the UK. This means these inequalities likely affect a high proportion of their residents. It was important that the commission do the following:

• capture the lived experience of people giving birth in Southwark
• hold meetings, listening exercises and ways for women and families to share their experiences
• raise community awareness about having a safe pregnancy and birth
• bring about changes in maternity care to help reduce maternity inequalities such as deaths of people giving birth
• provide a message of solidarity to the people of Southwark

The findings emphasise critical areas for action, categorised under national policy, accountability, funding, leadership, workforce, data, and community engagement—each highlighting where improvements are necessary to address deep-rooted inequalities across the healthcare system.

Understanding the Challenge of Ethnic Health Inequalities

The challenges associated with ethnic health disparities are multifaceted, involving a complex interplay of social, economic, and systemic factors. Black women, for example, are at a heightened risk for chronic conditions such as heart disease and breast cancer. These inequalities are exacerbated by factors like bias in healthcare systems, lack of access to culturally competent care, and social determinants of health, including housing and employment status.

Despite the urgency of these issues, coordinating a response can feel insurmountable due to the fragmentation of services across various healthcare entities. Local councils, housing, community organisations, and healthcare providers must work together effectively to drive meaningful change. This is where I believe technology steps in as a transformative ally.

The Role of Technology in Bridging Gaps

Platforms like Salesforce have the potential to not only streamline healthcare processes but also facilitate collaboration across various organisations. By harnessing these technologies, healthcare systems can address ethnic and social health disparities more effectively.

Below are some examples of how we can.

Creating a Patient-Centred Care Network

At the core of addressing health disparities is the necessity of understanding each patient's unique circumstances. Providing a holistic approach captures not only medical histories but also social determinants of health—elements like housing and education that significantly impact well-being.

For instance, consider a pregnant Black woman who has previously encountered racial bias in healthcare. With Salesforce, healthcare professionals can access comprehensive data, including her medical history and social circumstances, allowing for tailored, culturally sensitive care. Guys and St. Thomas’ Charity exemplifies this approach, utilising Salesforce to coordinate care plans for marginalised communities effectively.

Community involvement is crucial in addressing ethnic health inequalities. Salesforce facilitates real-time engagement platforms where healthcare providers can connect directly with patients. This allows for feedback, alerts about services, and health information sharing, ensuring that marginalised voices are heard. Such engagement empowers communities, making them active participants in their healthcare journeys. We know in some communities Trust is a very very big thing.

Visualising Disparities and Measuring Progress

Turning Data into actionable Insights is essential for understanding and addressing health disparities. However, raw data alone is insufficient; insights derived from that data are crucial. Tableau excels in transforming complex health data into visualisations that highlight trends and areas of concern.

Take the example of Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership (GMHSCP), which used Tableau to analyse datasets from various healthcare providers. This integration enabled them to identify lagging services and target resources effectively. In the context of ethnic health inequalities, this capability allows for real-time visibility into disparities, informing targeted interventions.

Once disparities are identified, tracking progress becomes vital. Tableau's dynamic dashboards allow healthcare organisations to measure the efficacy of interventions over time. For instance, if a local council initiates a maternal health program targeting Asian and Black women, Tableau can track key metrics such as maternal mortality rates and engagement with prenatal care. This real-time feedback loop ensures that strategies can be adjusted based on what's working and what's not.

Breaking Down Data Silos for Seamless Care

Healthcare data is often trapped in silos, complicating holistic patient care, especially for those engaging with multiple services. Our platform serves as a vital solution, acting as a universal translator that integrates disparate systems. This enables healthcare providers to share critical data seamlessly, ensuring that all members of a patient’s care team are on the same page.

A notable instance of Salesforce impact was during the NHS Test and Trace program supported by UK Health Security Agency where it facilitated data integration across various sources to enhance COVID-19 tracing efforts.

The platforms Integration capabilities significantly enhanced the NHS Test and Trace program, helping to reduce health inequalities. By seamlessly integrating data across healthcare systems, we ensured real-time access to vital information for stakeholders.

This not only improved accessibility but allowed vulnerable populations to receive timely resources and support. Data-driven insights enabled targeted interventions in high-risk areas, while streamlined communication facilitated better engagement with marginalised communities. Ultimately, our automation and efficiency improvements allowed for a more responsive healthcare system, ensuring that socially deprived populations received critical care during the pandemic.

Applying this integration model to maternity services and community health organisations could ensure that high-risk patients receive comprehensive care without falling through the cracks.

Better integration translates into a smoother patient experience. For example, a Black woman managing diabetes might have to navigate multiple healthcare services. With MuleSoft’s ability to integrate these systems, she no longer has to repeatedly provide the same information, thus reducing stress and inefficiencies. The NHS, through its collaboration with Salesforce, has seen significant improvements in care delivery, streamlining processes that ultimately enhance patient outcomes.

Technology Making a Difference

The Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership (GMHSCP) oversees the health of over 2.8 million residents in Greater Manchester, UK. Established as the UK's first devolved healthcare service in April 2016, GMHSCP took charge of its health and social care services. Following this transition, the partnership prioritised upgrading its data infrastructure, to foster collaboration among its 33 health and social care organisations.

Key Achievements

1. True Data Collaboration: Prior to the overhaul, GMHSCP faced challenges with disparate data systems and limited analytics capabilities. By centralising data and utilising Salesforce, the partnership has created a unified source of information accessible to all member organisations. This has enabled better decision-making and reduced data silos.
2. Enhanced A&E Coordination: GMHSCP developed an Urgent Care Reporting Tool that consolidates information from all 11 A&E departments in near real-time. This tool allows healthcare providers to monitor patient flow, waiting times, and bed availability, enabling collaborative responses to patient needs.
3. Mental Health Data Transparency: In alignment with a key pledge from Mayor Andy Burnham, GMHSCP has improved transparency around children's and young people's mental health services. A report, produced using Salesforce platform, details waiting times and progress toward better mental health outcomes, promoting public trust through regular updates.
4. Training and Skill Development: The adoption of Salesforce has significantly increased data literacy within GMHSCP. The number of trained developers grew from 20 to over 100, enhancing the analytical capabilities across the partnership.
5. Improved Emergency Response: The integration of our platform has facilitated quicker assessments during emergencies. For instance, hub commanders can now evaluate patient conditions and potentially redirect ambulances to less busy A&E departments, improving patient care and system efficiency.

Healthcare systems are already harnessing these technologies to create tangible change. GMHSCP's use of our platform has led to actionable insights that improved care quality.

Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity utilises our platform to tackle urban health issues in Lambeth and Southwark, enhancing their ability to address childhood obesity. Actionable insights on childhood obesity discovered in minutes versus weeks. The platform's advanced mapping capabilities allow the Charity to quickly identify high-risk areas, reducing the time to derive actionable insights from weeks to minutes.

By integrating various datasets, they can effectively target resources, ensuring over 80% of funding is allocated to regions in greatest need. By pinpointing the precise location of each problem area, Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity has been able expand their programmes more rapidly – and to where they are needed most. This is imperative since the Charity’s strategy calls for 70% of the resources allocated to a problem area to be used within that region – they are now operating at over 80%.

A Call to Action: Building an Equitable Healthcare Future

The disparities facing ethnic minorities, particularly Black and Asian women, are clear. So is the need for action. By leveraging Salesforce healthcare organisations can dismantle barriers, engage communities, and ultimately create a more equitable system. However, technology alone isn't enough—it's the intentional use of these tools that will drive real change.

Healthcare leaders must come together to implement these solutions in a coordinated, data-driven manner. Doing so will ensure that healthcare is equitable for everyone, regardless of ethnicity.

If you want to learn more about how these technologies can support your organisation in addressing health inequalities, contact us today. Together, we can pave the way for a future where healthcare disparities are relics of the past, and equitable care is a standard for all.

Join us on the following dates below to learn on how our Technology can be used.

Public Sector Innovation Day October 25th

Connect: AI November 5th

Whether through improved community engagement, data visualisation, or seamless integration, we have the tools and expertise to make a meaningful impact on healthcare for all.

Lastly I am available to meet for a coffee or a Dirty Chai Latte is my new found love!