Asembia 2025: Bridging Health Gaps Through Equity and Education

As the healthcare industry sharpens its focus on patient-centered care, addressing social determinants of health, health equity, and literacy has become more critical than ever—particularly for individuals with chronic and rare conditions. During the "Speaking Health and Human: Bridging the Gap to Quality Patient Care" session, Tiara Green will join industry leaders to explore how barriers to access, education, and navigation of the healthcare system directly influence patient outcomes. In an interview with Pharmaceutical Commerce, Green previews the key issues shaping the conversation and why understanding these factors is essential to delivering better, more equitable care.

PC: You will be a part of the ‘Speaking Health and Human: Bridging the Gap to Quality Patient Care’ session. Can you provide a brief synopsis of what to expect during the discussion?

Green: We definitely encourage people to attend the session, but broadly, we'll be exploring the impact of health equity on screening and diagnostic services, as well as the role of health literacy. We’ll discuss how these factors together influence overall health outcomes.

PC: How do you see social determinants of health shaping the patient experience, particularly for those with rare or chronic conditions?

Green: Social determinants of health are critical for all patients, but they’re especially important for those living with rare or chronic conditions. We need to consider access to care—how income level, education, and where someone lives affect their ability to get the services they need.

For example, individuals in rural areas—or even in low-income urban communities—may struggle to access healthcare providers, especially specialists. When dealing with rare or chronic conditions, access to specialized care is vital, yet not always available or easy to navigate.

Health literacy also plays a key role. Individuals with lower educational attainment—such as not completing high school or college—may not fully understand how to navigate the healthcare system. Even as professionals, we sometimes find the system difficult to manage. That’s why it’s so important to address these barriers if we want to improve health outcomes.

Full Interview Summary: During the “Health and Human: Bridging the Gap to Quality Patient Care” session, attendees can expect a thoughtful discussion on how health equity, screening and diagnostic services, and health literacy together influence overall healthcare outcomes. The session will explore how social determinants of health—such as income, education level, and geographic location—directly impact the patient experience, especially for individuals living with rare and chronic conditions. Challenges like limited access to specialized care, difficulty navigating complex healthcare systems, and lower levels of health literacy will be key themes.

The conversation will also highlight effective strategies that have successfully bridged gaps in healthcare access. One major focus will be the role of community health workers, who serve as trusted, relatable figures within their communities. By understanding and representing the populations they serve, these workers can connect individuals to essential screenings, care resources, and social services like employment or food assistance.

Another critical point will center on how healthcare providers and systems can better design preventive and educational interventions by involving community members early in the planning process. Rather than imposing pre-developed programs, incorporating the lived experiences and voices of the target population helps create initiatives that are more relevant, effective, and sustainable.

Finally, looking to the future, the speaker emphasizes that achieving a healthier, more equitable society requires systemic and structural change. Addressing issues at the policy and institutional levels, fostering collaboration between healthcare systems and community-based organizations, and rethinking how care is delivered will be essential to creating lasting improvements in health equity.