Health IT and Health Disparities, A Congressionally Mandated Study

The HITECH Act of 2009 mandated an “Assessment of Impact of HIT on Communities with Health Disparities and Uninsured, Underinsured, and Medically Underserved Areas.” The legislation asks HHS to “assess and publish the impact of health information technology in communities with health disparities and in areas with a high proportion of individuals who are uninsured, underinsured, and medically underserved individuals (including urban and rural areas) and identify practices to increase the adoption of such technology by health care providers in such communities, and the use of health information technology to reduce and better manage chronic diseases.” As part of this study, we will present findings from nine case studies of communities using patient health records, electronic health records, text messaging applications or other tools to address differences in access and quality of care for vulnerable populations. Case studies will involve discussions with dozens of patients, providers and public health stakeholders and will produce findings that help health care providers, public health departments and federal Agencies design and implement interventions to improve quality of care and access in communities that experience disparities. We will identify emerging and best practices for interventions that reduce disparities in the management of chronic illness, provision of preventive services, access to primary care and health status indicators. Findings will reflect the experience to date of communities where federally qualified health centers, rural hospitals and other providers of care to special populations have made significant strides in leveraging health IT to improve access and quality of care.