Hispanic, Asian Cancer Patients Used Telehealth Less Than White Peers

mHealth Intelligence: Hispanic, Asian Cancer Patients Used Telehealth Less Than White Peers

According to a new study, a glaring divide exists in telehealth use between white cancer patients and those who are racial minorities. The study examined patterns of outpatient oncology care and telemedicine use among all cancer patients within the University of California San Diego Health System. Of the 8,997 patients studied, 61 percent were non-Hispanic white, 50 percent were in the top quartile of median household income, and 87 percent noted that their preferred language was English. Compared to non-Hispanic white patients, researchers found that Hispanic patients were 14 percent less likely and Asian patients were 21 percent less likely to use telehealth. The study findings add to growing evidence of disparities in virtual cancer care.