【德勤Deloitte】2024数字化工具如何助力母婴健康研究报告_30页_3mb

maternal health inequities persist in the US, with Black women facing three times higher maternal mortality rates than White women due to systemic barriers. Digital tools show potential to improve access to care and manage health needs but face challenges in cultural relevance and usability. Key findings from a 2023 Deloitte survey of 2,000 individuals and stakeholder interviews include:

1. Digital tool adoption: Over 70% of respondents use digital tools to manage health needs beyond basic communication, with 49% using them for appointments and 36% for care team communication. However, Black, mixed-race, and Hispanic users are twice as likely as White users to feel digital tools do not meet their cultural or personal needs.
2. Amplifying patient voices: Tools like Count the Kicks, which tracks fetal movements, have shown success in reducing stillbirth rates in Iowa by 32% overall and 39% for Black mothers. Cultural tailoring—such as multilingual support, skin-toned condition visualizations, and addressing stigma—is critical for effectiveness.
3. Equity-centered design: 80% of survey respondents believe people with lived experience should be involved in developing maternal health digital tools. Platforms like Irth, which crowdsources reviews of OB-GYNs and pediatricians, aim to improve transparency and accountability in care delivery.
4. Access and usability barriers: 49% of respondents prioritize reducing tool costs, while 25% cite interoperability issues between systems. Information overload and poor user guidance hinder adoption. Trust in tool accuracy remains uneven, with patient portals scoring highest (70%) but text messaging platforms needing improvement.
5. Governance and regulation: Fragmented ownership across departments (marketing, IT, etc.) and reimbursement challenges impede digital health adoption. The White House 2022 Blueprint for Maternal Health supports innovation and equitable access.
6. Limitations of digital tools: Digital tools alone cannot resolve systemic inequities. They must complement in-person care, as 60% of respondents believe tools improve communication but 40% think they reduce out-of-pocket costs. Black women’s negative pregnancy experiences persist despite tool use, highlighting deeper structural issues.
7. Cross-sector collaboration: Addressing maternal health inequities requires coordination across health systems, employers, and policymakers. Stakeholders must prioritize culturally informed care, diverse data representation, and feedback loops to ensure equitable outcomes.

The report emphasizes that digital tools should be designed with equity in mind, incorporating user-centric features and bridging gaps in access, trust, and cultural alignment to meaningfully improve maternal health outcomes.