Assessing the Economic Impact of Health Technologies on Healthcare Access and Economic Outcomes in Underprivileged Communities
By Shalin Bhatia
In the United States, health disparities contribute significantly to economic inequality and mortality rates. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, low socioeconomic status is positively correlated with an increased risk of developing and dying from cardiovascular diseases. The correlation exists in terms of mental health, too; low levels of household income per capita, as well as parental education, are directly associated with increased mental health problems in children and adolescents. The connection between low-income levels and greater health problems is deeply rooted in systemic social inequalities, often perpetuated by the privileges or disadvantages assigned to different communities.
Social inequality manifests in numerous forms, including stark differences in living conditions. Neighborhoods facing higher poverty rates often lack access to nutritious food, clean water, adequate healthcare, and safe living environments. These factors increase the likelihood of illness as well as reduce overall life expectancy. Consequently, people living in underprivileged areas face a disproportionate burden of diseases like diabetes, asthma, and hypertension. The health problems exacerbated by these living conditions not only lead to premature deaths but also hinder economic productivity. Those who are frequently ill or have family members needing constant care are often unable to work consistently, which reduces their lifetime earnings and limits economic mobility.
Thus, health disparities are not only devastating for individuals but also contribute to major economic losses on a national scale. When people in lower-income communities experience poorer health outcomes, their communities collectively face both economic hardship and social decline. Additionally, the country as a whole suffers due to reduced workforce productivity, which directly impacts GDP growth and financial stability. Without addressing these disparities, the status quo remains dire, as inequality in health and economics is interwoven with residential segregation and geographic disadvantage. Living conditions determine access to healthcare, the lack of which frequently leads to early mortality and economic hardship.
Health technologies offer a promising solution to these deeply ingrained problems. These technologies are expanding rapidly, providing innovative ways to increase healthcare access across socioeconomically diverse populations. From telemedicine to mobile health clinics, these technologies reduce barriers to care and help bridge the gaps caused by social inequalities and gentrification. By improving access to healthcare services in underserved communities, health technologies mitigate some of the harmful effects of unequal living conditions. As a result, despite currently holding low adoption rates among lower-income populations, health technologies hold the potential to not only improve individual health outcomes but also protect the United States from further economic downturns associated with health disparities.
Sources
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0213700
www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/health_equity/socioeconomic.htm
https://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/health_equity/neighborhood.htm
https://www.who.int/europe/news-room/fact-sheets/item/health-technologies