IMPACT OF TELEHEALTH IN ADDRESSING MINORITY HEALTH

Social determinants of health have a major impact on mortality and morbidity making fragile populations more vulnerable.

Covid 19 pandemic has been a particularly powerful and painful indicator of social inequalities especially in access to healthcare, but it has also fuelled a lot of change in health care delivery.

Access to healthcare is a significant metric for healthcare outcomes and from studies published it shows that over 12-month period adults with disabilities are 6times more likely to have ten or more physician visits and 5 times more likely to be admitted to a hospital to people without disabilities.

Telehealth is a promising tool because of its potential to increase access to care by overcoming geographical barriers and provide virtual care; it is increasing in acceptance as the standard of care.

People with disabilities often are faced with higher rates of chronic conditions?and experience a higher rate of financial difficulty covering the costs of care, compared with the non-disabled population. They are less likely to afford healthcare?and more likely to have unmet healthcare needs.

By utilizing virtual care visits, people with disabilities can have their chronic care conditions regularly checked, preventing ED checks later. Regular checkups can divert patients' conditions from getting to a critical state, but only virtual care can go the extra mile to bring down additional barriers.

At HealthX Africa, we have designed inclusive solutions with accessibility features and assistance to the patient, rather than expecting people with disabilities to conform to the status quo.?Video and chat consultations are available in addition to audio consultations. Our workforce includes employees that are trained in sign language for those with hearing disabilities.