Sisters Launch First Black-Owned Telehealth Service Designed For Black Women
Sisters Dr. Jacqueline Philips and Lorraine Phillips have launched Melanin Doctor, the first Black-owned telehealth service dedicated exclusively to Black women. Inspired by their mother’s struggle with diabetes and her life-changing results with GLP-1 medications, the sisters, who are both doctors, created the platform to expand access and care for Black women.
Black women face higher risks of obesity and diabetes
Black women face disproportionately high rates of obesity and diabetes, with 57% classified as obese compared to 36% of white women, and 12.7% diagnosed with diabetes compared to 6.9% of White women. But Black patients are less likely to be prescribed GLP-1 weight loss medications, even when they are clinically eligible.
“Since starting Melanin Doctor, we’ve spoken with countless Black women who had never heard of GLP-1 medication from their doctors – or worse, had their questions dismissed under the assumption they couldn’t afford it,” Lorraine Phillips, co-founder of Melanin Doctor, said.
“As sisters, and as daughters who saw our own mother’s health transform, we built this company for women like us – to make sure access, answers, and options are finally within reach.”
What is Melanin Doctor?
Melanin Doctor is a direct-to-patient online platform that also connects patients with licensed clinicians, while providing clear education on treatment options such as GLP-1 medications. The company focuses on being transparent, affordable, and accessible for its users, removing systemic barriers that have historically kept Black patients from receiving critical care.
“Too often, Black patients are left out of conversations about the most effective treatments,” Dr. Jacqueline Philips, Chief Medical Officer of Melanin Doctor, said. “At Melanin Doctor, we’re committed to ensuring patients not only have access to the right medications, but also the education and guidance they need to make the best decisions for their health.”
The sisters also want to create economic empowerment opportunities. Melanin Doctor has committed to hiring Black clinicians and creating remote career paths for Black health professionals nationwide. Though the brand is starting with GLP-1 weight loss medications for Black women, services will soon expand to welcome Black men, too.
Image: BlackNews.com.
