April 23, 2024

Will Predictive Healthcare Increase Black Women’s Life Expectancy?

African American Health

In the US, African American women face higher mortality rates from major diseases like heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes compared to other demographics. 

These disparities are often due to systemic biases in healthcare, which can diminish or underestimate the pain and symptoms experienced by these women.

The Promise of Predictive Healthcare in Personalized Medicine

Predictive healthcare, however, marks an evolution in medical treatment, moving away from a generalized approach to a more individualized strategy. 

This approach uses advanced predictive analytics, which allows healthcare providers to identify potential health risks early and tailor treatments to each patient’s unique circumstances. 

This is especially crucial for African American women, who historically have been underserved by conventional healthcare models.

Brian Meshkin, the founder of Outcomeus, highlighted that predictive healthcare can dramatically extend life expectancy, according to Forbes.

It can also enhance the quality of life by ensuring that treatments are effective and targeted to meet patients’ specific needs.

Empowering Through Technology: AI and Data Analytics

Technological advancements are central to the implementation of predictive healthcare. 

Companies and healthcare leaders are utilizing AI and big data to create solutions that tackle the root causes of health disparities. 

For example, Outcomeus uses AI to analyze data from the world’s largest clinical-genetic biobank, enabling healthcare providers to develop personalized healthcare plans effectively.

This technology-driven approach does more than treat illnesses; it also aims to prevent them by addressing broader social determinants of health and removing systemic barriers to care.

Enhanced access to preventive healthcare for African American women can lead to significant reductions in healthcare costs and improve economic productivity.

Sara Keenan

Tech Reporter at POCIT. Following her master's degree in journalism, Sara cultivated a deep passion for writing and driving positive change for Black and Brown individuals across all areas of life. This passion expanded to include the experiences of Black and Brown people in tech thanks to her internship experience as an editorial assistant at a tech startup.