Healthcare
HIMSS 2024: Robin Goldsmith on Bridging Health Equity Gaps Through Digital Transformation
Technology leaders are leveraging digital tools to address longstanding disparities in healthcare access and outcomes across communities
Key takeaways
Technology leaders are leveraging digital tools to address longstanding disparities in healthcare access and outcomes across communities
The latest episode of Healthcare Rethink, a FinThrive podcast, heads into the heart of HIMSS 2024. The conversation centers around digital transformation and its pivotal role in bridging health equity gaps. Robin Goldsmith, the Global Lead for Connected Health & Innovation at Verizon Business, shares insights from this year’s event, emphasizing the transformative power of technology in healthcare.
The episode, hosted by Brian Urban, unpacks the significant strides in healthcare technology. Robin Goldsmith discusses several key initiatives that Verizon is involved in, such as improving connectivity for remote Alaskan tribes and integrating health services within community banks. These projects, with their tangible benefits, enhance access to healthcare and address critical social determinants of health. This approach underscores a larger trend at HIMSS 2024, where digital transformation serves as a bridge to reduce health disparities.
Digital transformation serves as a bridge to reduce health disparities.
Expanding on the theme of digital transformation at HIMSS 2024, the discussion also touches upon cybersecurity’s increasing importance in the healthcare sector. The urgency for robust security measures has never been more apparent given recent significant cyber-attacks. Goldsmith highlighted how enhanced security protocols are integral to safeguarding patient data and ensuring the continuity of healthcare services, thereby supporting the broader goals of health equity and access.
The podcast episode encapsulates the spirit of HIMSS 2024, showcasing how innovative technologies and thoughtful strategies are crucial in shaping a more equitable healthcare landscape. As digital transformation continues to evolve, its role in facilitating access to healthcare for underserved populations becomes increasingly vital, pointing towards a future where technology and healthcare go hand in hand in overcoming barriers to health equity.
About the author
Brian Urban has a deep skill set in health promotion and product development for rare disease and senior populations with Large Health Plans and Specialty Pharmacy. Urban has served as a speaker on such topics for the Alzheimer’s Association, Obediah Cole Prostate Cancer Foundation, Cigna Corp and Utica University Institute for the study of integrative healthcare. Urban has received a Masters of Science in Exercise Physiology-Health Promotion, Masters of Business Administration in Market Development and is currently completing a Masters in Public Health at Dartmouth College. Urban is currently a research-fellow sponsored by a Robert Wood Johnson Grant supporting Utica University public health research in Upstate New York.
