Addressing Cardiovascular Disease: A Call for Equitable Healthcare

Cardiovascular disease is a modern epidemic with a significant and measurable global impact. In the United States alone, 5.7 million adults have been diagnosed with heart failure, with estimated annual direct costs ranging from $39.2 billion to $60 billion. These costs are projected to exceed $70 billion by 2030 (Heidenreich PA et al., 2022).

Disparities in Cardiovascular Health

Black Americans are disproportionately affected by cardiovascular disease, facing a 30% higher risk of dying from heart disease compared to white Americans (Smith, 2021). Data from 2015-2018 shows that among non-Hispanic Black adults, 60.1% of males and 58.8% of females had some form of cardiovascular disease (American Heart Association, 2021).

Less access to quality medical care is a significant factor cited by Black Americans for generally worse health outcomes. This includes issues related to healthcare facilities prioritizing the well-being of Black patients less and environmental quality problems in Black communities (Volpe, 2021). These issues are exacerbated by a declining cardiologist workforce and an increasing elderly population in the U.S. By 2030, the U.S. is projected to lose 139,160 physicians and 78,610 nurses (Yuen et al., 2020). Additionally, the number of Americans aged 65 and older is projected to nearly double from 52 million in 2018 to 95 million by 2060, increasing their share of the total population from 16% to 23% (U.S. Census Bureau, Population Projections).

The Need for Unbiased Medical Devices

Medical devices are crucial in patient care, diagnosis, and treatment. However, emerging evidence suggests that many medical devices exhibit racial bias, leading to disparities in health outcomes, particularly affecting Black patients.

Designing medical devices to eliminate racial biases is critical for several reasons:

• Equitable Healthcare Access: Ensuring all patients receive accurate diagnoses and appropriate treatments.

• Enhanced Patient Safety: Preventing misdiagnosis and adverse outcomes.

• Reduction of Health Disparities: Promoting better health outcomes for marginalized communities.

• Increased Trust in Medical Devices: Unbiased devices help maintain patient trust.

• Ethical Responsibility: As developers, we must provide unbiased care.

A Step Towards Health Equity

At DigiBeat, we prioritize health equity as we develop our digital stethoscope and medical exam system. Our system brings the cardiac exam process into the home, making it accessible and eliminating barriers to care. By addressing bias head-on, we pave the way for more equitable and unbiased healthcare outcomes.

Join us in our mission to transform cardiac care and promote health equity for all. Let's work together to eliminate disparities and ensure every patient receives the care they deserve.