Culturally Competent Healthcare
Published 13 February 2023
Elspeth Taylor
Inequality in accessing healthcare costs the US $320bn annually (Deloitte, 2022), while the EU spends nearly €980bn ($1.07tn) each year to address health disparities (EuroHealthNet, 2022). Smart health start-ups aim to right this imbalance by embedding cultural competence in their services. We spotlight the initiatives and companies advancing inclusive healthcare.
The Business Case for Culture-Informed Healthcare
Racial & Ethnic Health Literacy
Healthcare Confronts Sex & Gender Bias
Although 70% of people worldwide agree that social determinants of health influence wellbeing (McKinsey, 2022), 31% of doctors in the US alone admit that they lack the interpersonal and cultural skills to provide all patients with optimal care (Healthgrades, 2022). Smart companies are becoming advocates and raising awareness about the issue.
Although 70% of people worldwide agree that social determinants of health influence wellbeing (McKinsey, 2022), 31% of doctors in the US alone admit that they lack the interpersonal and cultural skills to provide all patients with optimal care (Healthgrades, 2022). Smart companies are becoming advocates and raising awareness about the issue.
Fifty-six per cent of Black adults in the US (Pew, 2022) and 65% in the UK report negative medical experiences (BMJ, 2022). To advance inclusive care, new initiatives weave cultural competence into every facet of health, from staff training to routine check-ups. Notably, some services are embedded into specific communities, while others adopt a whole-community approach.
Cultural sex and gender biases may also undermine care. In the US, 23% of LGBTQ+ consumers have avoided seeking care due to discrimination (CAP, 2023). Alongside improved training, there’s space to enhance gender-inclusive services – like American neobank Daylight does with its financial planning for prospective LGBTQ+ parents.
Culturally Competent Healthcare
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