June is Pride Month. It is a month dedicated to the self-affirmation, dignity, equality, and increased visibility of our LGBTQ+ community. This is both a time of celebration for the incredible contributions, as well as reflection on the continued struggles for many within this historically marginalized community.
ClearDATA stands in support of the LGBTQ+ community. Not only with those outside of our walls, but to those inside our ClearDATA family. Our commitment to being a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization is not just about making space for those yet to come, but for those already on this journey with us to improve the lives of millions of people and their health.
The healthcare industry continues to be plagued by inefficiencies and a lack of interoperability. Access to even basic healthcare is difficult in some parts of the United States, not to mention the rest of the world. Knowledge and capable healthcare professionals are concentrated in certain areas, leaving large parts of the country with unequal healthcare resources. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought these disparities in healthcare to the front pages, and for many communities this lack of accessibility has been a way of life.
Healthcare disparities have long existed for the LGBTQ+ community. Cigna reported back in 2017 that LGBTQ+ people are at significantly “higher risk of certain conditions, have less access to healthcare, and have worse health outcomes” than other communities.1 These disparities manifest in both behavioral and physical health. Recent research during the current COVID-19 global pandemic shows that this disparity within the US continues to exist, and in some cases has grown.2
At ClearDATA, we believe in making healthcare better every.single.day. That is not just a corporate tagline. It is a reminder that the work we all do to make our world a better place is a daily effort. Each day is a collection of moments, that when focused on a goal creates a movement that positively impacts the lives of those around us.
This daily effort is driven to support hundreds of clients in their journey to improve healthcare outcomes for marginalized populations, including those in the LGBTQ+ community. From improving the reliability and performance of telemedicine organizations or allowing secure record storage and access from anywhere in the world for physicians/therapists to deliver care to those not in their zip code, our clients are fighting the healthcare disparities – and we are fighting with them.
Our work and support of the LGBTQ+ community does not subside on July 1st. After the rainbow logos are gone, and the flags are put away for another year, ClearDATA will still be doing the hard work to make healthcare more accessible to all communities. Empowering accessibility and removing the barriers to needed care for all people, regardless of their race, nationality, ethnicity, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.
