Report on Health Equity and the Role of Cloud Computing in Addressing Disparities

Introduction

Over the past fifty years, significant progress has been made in understanding health and healthcare disparities, including the social, clinical, and systemic factors contributing to these inequities. Despite this, disparities persist, particularly affecting racially and ethnically minoritized populations as well as economically, socially, and geographically disadvantaged groups. This report emphasizes the critical role of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in guiding efforts to close the health equity gap.

Health Inequities and Access to Care

Access to healthcare is defined as the opportunity to identify health needs, seek, reach, obtain, and use healthcare services, fulfilling those needs effectively. However, systemic racism and bias have exacerbated barriers to access, disproportionately impacting marginalized populations.

• Racially and ethnically minoritized populations face significant inequities in healthcare access.
• Economically and geographically disadvantaged groups encounter additional obstacles.
• Intersectionality further intensifies these disparities for individuals with multiple marginalized identities.

Root Causes of Health Inequity

Two primary clusters of root causes contribute to health inequity:

1. Distribution of Power and Resources: Intrapersonal, interpersonal, institutional, and systemic mechanisms distribute power and resources unevenly across race, gender, class, sexual orientation, and other identity dimensions.
2. Social Determinants of Health (SDoH): Unequal allocation of goods, services, and societal attention leads to disparities in social, economic, and environmental conditions.

Understanding these complex and interdependent factors is essential for designing effective interventions to promote health equity, aligned with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Challenges to Achieving Health Equity

Health equity is defined as a fair and just opportunity for everyone to attain their highest level of health. However, historical and contemporary injustices continue to create structural barriers, including:

• Low density of healthcare providers in underserved areas
• Decreasing primary care availability in rural regions
• Poor transportation infrastructure
• Lack of adequate broadband internet access
• Gaps in insurance coverage

These barriers exacerbate inequitable access to care and hinder progress toward SDG 3 and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

Importance of Social Determinants of Health (SDoH)

Addressing health inequities requires equitable access to socioeconomic resources, including:

• Assets and income
• Affordable education
• Healthy food and clean water
• Opportunities to pursue healthy lifestyles

Utilizing SDoH data is increasingly critical in guiding public health strategies to ensure health equity, directly supporting SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

Role of Cloud Computing in Closing the Health Equity Gap

Emerging technologies such as cloud computing offer promising solutions to overcome structural barriers by:

• Enhancing healthcare data accessibility and sharing
• Improving telemedicine and remote healthcare delivery
• Supporting data-driven public health interventions
• Facilitating equitable distribution of healthcare resources

These technological advancements align with SDG 9 and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), fostering innovation and collaboration to reduce health disparities.

Conclusion

Achieving health equity is a multifaceted challenge requiring comprehensive strategies that address both systemic inequities and social determinants of health. Emphasizing the Sustainable Development Goals provides a global framework to guide these efforts. Integrating technology, policy reform, and community engagement is essential to ensure equitable healthcare access and improve health outcomes for all populations.

About the Author

Shanzay Naveed is a 4th year MBBS student at Allama Iqbal Medical College, Pakistan, and an Assistant Director of PUBSSD at the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA). She has contributed multiple articles to The European Sting and other publications and is actively involved in scientific conferences and volunteer organizations focused on health and education.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article focuses on health inequities, access to healthcare, and health equity, which are central to SDG 3.
2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The discussion on racial, ethnic, economic, social, and geographic disparities in healthcare access relates directly to reducing inequalities.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • References to poor transportation infrastructure and lack of broadband high-speed internet access highlight infrastructure challenges affecting health equity.
4. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • The article mentions socioeconomic disadvantages and social determinants of health like income and assets, linking to poverty eradication.
5. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Access to affordable education as a social determinant of health is mentioned as important for health equity.
6. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • Clean water is listed among social determinants of health necessary for equitable health outcomes.
7. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Healthy food access is noted as a social determinant of health affecting health equity.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified Based on the Article’s Content

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection and access to quality essential healthcare services.
   • Target 3.c: Increase health financing and recruitment, development, training and retention of the health workforce in underserved areas.
2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.c: Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet in least developed countries.
4. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • Target 1.4: Ensure that all men and women have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services.
5. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.1: Ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education.
6. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • Target 6.1: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
7. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Target 2.1: End hunger and ensure access by all people to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article to Measure Progress Towards the Identified Targets

1. Indicators related to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)
   • Proportion of population with access to essential health services (implied by discussion on access to care).
   • Density of healthcare providers in underserved areas (mentioned as a structural barrier).
   • Insurance coverage rates (gaps in insurance coverage mentioned).
2. Indicators related to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)
   • Measures of health disparities by race, ethnicity, economic status, and geography (implied through discussion of inequities).
   • Social inclusion indices or measures of discrimination and bias impacting access.
3. Indicators related to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure)
   • Access to broadband high-speed internet (explicitly mentioned as a barrier).
   • Quality and availability of transportation infrastructure.
4. Indicators related to SDG 1 (No Poverty)
   • Access to socioeconomic resources such as income and assets (implied).
5. Indicators related to SDG 4 (Quality Education)
   • Access to affordable education (implied as a social determinant of health).
6. Indicators related to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)
   • Access to clean water (implied).
7. Indicators related to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)
   • Access to healthy food (implied).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Identified in the Article

Source: europeansting.com