Designing digital health for Black consumers

According to Rock Health’s 2023 Consumer Adoption of Digital Health Survey, Black consumers lead the way as digital health adopters and have 20% greater odds of owning a wearable as compared to non-Black respondents. Yet despite high levels of virtual care adoption, Black consumers have historically reported lower rates of satisfaction with their experiences of digital solutions relative to other racial groups.

This “satisfaction gap” that Black consumers experience with digital health tools shouldn’t be surprising, given that most healthcare services don’t center the lived experiences of Black consumers. Black individuals with diabetes in the U.S. are less likely to be prescribed GLP-1s, and many Black consumers feel left out of the obesity care movement. Less than one-quarter of mental health professionals in the U.S. are people of color, challenging access to culturally competent mental healthcare. Additionally, 16% of Black infants are born in areas with limited or no access to maternity care services.

Innovation leaders can learn from startups centering Black perspectives and needs in digital health to make progress in addressing this satisfaction gap. Learn more about designing and scaling solutions for the Black community in the latest installment of our health equity series.

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