To date, there is significant evidence of health disparities within underserved communities, including those due to the effects of social determinants and institutional racism. However, several factors of the research landscape impede efforts to make meaningful change: 

  • Current research is siloed and generally knowledge-driven, not grounded in application and operational change 

  • Existing datasets about these disparities are not well-connected and do not serve a common purpose, due to limited incentives—including barriers inherent in the reimbursement system 

  • The use of advanced analytics and combined datasets has been limited, causing a lack of understanding of major points of intervention 

Healthcare delivery systems exacerbate these disparities through common practices. For example, payment for value can encourage providers to avoid patients who may require more time or resources to achieve the same health outcome. Furthermore, performance measures are reported in aggregate, leading to systems in which providers can achieve performance bonuses even with health inequity.

 

Key Areas of Research 

Our research examines delivery system reforms to address healthcare disparities. These efforts will focus on several key areas: 

Reporting Performance Metrics 

  • Developing health system performance metrics (such as vaccination rates or cardiovascular and metabolic disease rates) to identify disparities, not just average levels of care

  • Segmenting metrics based on time spent to identify the implications of adverse selection 

  • Exploring how public programs could drive a change in reporting and renumeration 

Data Use 

  • Understanding targeting and presentation strategies to ensure data is used to advance the message of healthcare disparities to key stakeholders 

  • Identifying new research areas specific to vaccination and chronic disease treatment to drive the importance of health equity 

Outcome Visibility 

  • Making disparities in outcomes of key provider groups (academic centers, health systems, hospitals, life sciences companies, and payors) visible to drive intent to decrease health equity 

  • Establishing clear metrics of health equity success and publicizing these outcomes to incentivize action

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Health Inequities Research Grant Program

Learn more about the Health Inequities Research Grant Program.