Advancing Health Equity: Bridging the Telehealth Divide Summit

October 29-30, 2024

Industry Collaboration Success Story: Henry Ford Innovations and Premier Inc.’s PINC AI Applied Sciences

Overview:

The Advancing Health Equity: Bridging the Telehealth Divide Summit convened healthcare experts, community leaders, and industry partners to address the “telehealth divide”—barriers that limit access to digital healthcare for underserved populations, including older adults and Black, Hispanic, and immigrant communities. Co-hosted by Henry Ford Innovations (HFI), under the leadership of Vikas Relan and Alexander Reynolds, along with Premier Inc.’s PINC AI Applied Sciences, the summit was a unique event focused on collaborative strategies for creating inclusive and accessible digital health solutions.

About the Event:

Initiated and led by Dr. Denise White-Perkins, Chair of Family Medicine and Director of Healthcare Equity Initiatives, this third annual summit took a distinctive approach, emphasizing deep, long-form discussions with community members. These conversations—rarely seen in traditional healthcare settings—provided invaluable insights into the lived experiences and complex barriers faced by our community. Including voices from various community organizations, industry, and Henry Ford Health, allowed for a comprehensive view of the challenges that make up the telehealth divide.

Industry Collaboration & Future Efforts:

Following the summit, HFI and Premier are working with industry partners to secure funding for projects that address the digital divide in healthcare. This collaboration is aimed at driving impactful initiatives that reflect the priorities established at the summit and advance health equity.

Key Themes & Goals:

• Digital Inclusivity: Providing resources and knowledge to help everyone engage with telehealth confidently.
• Community-Centered Solutions: Designing approaches based on patient and community needs.
• Sustained Impact: Building industry-backed projects that promote long-term improvements in healthcare access.

Looking to the Future:

HFI, PINC AI, and Dr. White-Perkins are committed to implementing the summit’s strategies and fostering partnerships that support initiatives to bridge healthcare’s digital divide.

“This is just the beginning of our work in this space,” said Dr. White-Perkins. “We will continue to engage with participants to develop real solutions. I’m grateful for everyone who attended – I can’t wait to see what we will accomplish together.”

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