What is Inclusive Care™: Equity and Agency (3/3)

[← Read Part 2. What is Inclusive Care: Addressing Gaps]

How would this make a difference? In the case of our restaurant observer, if he could hear the music or know about your allergies then his interpretation of the event would be far more relevant. Similarly, in the case of our doctor as the external observer, we provide a multi-dimensional and holistic blueprint that models health influences and systematically exposes blind spots through a more complete view of the patient. And if our doctor is making life-decisions by accounting for all health determinants then her assessment would be more complete, the level of prevention could shift from reactive to proactive, and the chances of having a “how did that happen?” event far less likely.

I alluded to this before, but at the heart of Inclusive Care™ is the idea that all races deserve the same level of care. Health disparities and inequities cost lives. There is no other reasonable explanation for the fact that women of color are 3x more likely to die during pregnancy(1) than white women. Access to good, trustworthy care matters. Knowledge and empowerment also matter, as studies have shown that health literacy is directly correlated with better outcomes(2). These are the reasons why it was so important for us to include all health determinants, particularly the socioeconomic and environmental ones even if in some cases the actions to take aren’t simple or immediately apparent. We felt that at least by being aware, by exposing hidden forces, and by having the conversation with the doctor that steps could be taken to mitigate risk. And, lastly, it’s also the reason why we invested in the time and effort required to support both English and Spanish from the very start on Modelo Health™. The effort is double, but it’s worth it if we can help populations that would otherwise not be seen by our health system. It’s worth it if we can increase a mother’s health literacy, giving her a voice and a seat at the table in her own care, empowering her to play a role in the outcomes of her own life and that of her unborn child.

When you’re aware of the statistics behind maternal care in the U.S., it’s no surprise that a term like Inclusive Care™ could be so novel that it requires an explanation and that it can be trademarked with the USPTO. And yet, when you think about it, it’s shocking that this is such a radical idea! Our mission at Modelo Health™ is to make it routine, and maybe even banal. We have been, and will continue to work diligently to convert Inclusive Care™ from a vision into a fact – An expectation – An entitlement. When all of the elements are present, and the observer can conclude with confidence that you’re having the time of your life – when the music moves you, when the food is exquisite, and when you’re surrounded by your loved ones – that’s when you’re at your best. And when our health system sees each of us for who we are, despite race, class, or language, and does everything possible to keep us safe and healthy then that’s when we’ll all be at our best.

1) CDC. Maternal Mortality Rates in the United States, 2020
2) The American Journal of Surgery. Patient-reported health literacy scores are associated with readmissions following surgery.

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