While this new report focuses on Medicaid recipients in New England, the health inequities it highlights, especially in maternal and mental health, are reflective of disparities seen across the nation. These challenges persist nationwide, affecting vulnerable communities in similar ways.
Maternal Healthcare: The Impact of Income and Race
Despite progress in healthcare, the maternal health crisis persists, particularly for women of color and low-income patients. 84% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, but Black women are three times more likely to die during pregnancy than white women.
Research on women’s health is underfunded, leaving doctors without the knowledge to treat pregnant women, especially those of color. In New England, 75% of Medicaid patients believe low-income individuals receive poor maternal care, while 54% have seen minorities receive inadequate pregnancy care.
Representation also matters: patients believe healthcare providers of the same race or gender are more likely to deliver better care. For pregnant women of color, having a provider of the same background could reduce biases and improve outcomes.
Mental Health: Financial Barriers
Although mental health awareness has grown, access to care remains limited for Medicaid patients. In New England, 44% of Medicaid recipients report being diagnosed with depression, compared to the national average of 18.4%. Women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities face higher rates of depression, largely due to social biases.
Depression affects physical health, increasing the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases by 40%. Yet Medicaid patients face long waits, difficulty finding doctors, and financial hurdles that block access to needed care.
Addressing Bias and Inequities
Biases in income, race, and gender perpetuate disparities in maternal and mental healthcare. These barriers can discourage patients from seeking care, worsening health outcomes. Healthcare providers must take action by diversifying their workforce and expanding local support programs. In New England, mental health centers and programs for pregnant women have been heavily utilized by Medicaid recipients.
Integrating Social Determinants of Health (SDoH)
To address these disparities, it’s essential to consider the health-related social needs (HRSN) of Medicaid populations. Data on SDoH—such as access to fresh food, air quality, and proximity to healthcare facilities—can help inform more comprehensive care strategies.
At Siftwell, we focus on helping community health plans integrate SDoH and HRSN into their member care strategies, ensuring more equitable outcomes for all.
What we can do now
Artificial intelligence (AI) has tremendous potential to impact the above, when used responsibly, vigilantly, and with clear-headed expectations and intentions. There already are low risk use cases that AI can be applied to in the payer context that can begin to move the needle.
For more information on how we can help your organization incorporate AI into health equity and care strategies, check out Siftwell’s health plan offerings
