In healthcare, much of the attention is placed on what happens inside clinics: diagnoses, treatments, and follow-up care. However, research shows that 80% of health outcomes for vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations are influenced by factors outside of clinical settings.
These external factors, ranging from access to care and social support to housing stability and economic security, play a significant role in determining whether individuals can achieve and maintain good health.
For the 100 million vulnerable Americans impacted by these social and environmental factors, addressing healthcare solely through clinical services is insufficient. A more holistic approach is needed—one that extends beyond the clinic to meet the daily needs of underserved communities.
An AI mobile solution for healthcare bridges the gap by providing real-time communication and continuous support, enabling last-mile healthcare providers to deliver care that goes beyond the four walls of the clinic.
The 80% Gap: Why External Factors Are So Important to Health Outcomes
For vulnerable and hard-to-reach communities, the ability to access healthcare services is often hindered by administrative burdens and external challenges that make navigating the system difficult.
These factors include:
Learning Barriers
Navigating health benefits programs requires individuals to understand complex rules and follow convoluted processes. Many vulnerable and hard-to-reach individuals, including those with limited education and digital literacy or facing language barriers, struggle to interpret the requirements for programs like SNAP, Medicaid, or housing assistance.
Compliance Demands
Accessing benefits often requires completing extensive paperwork, providing documentation, and adhering to strict deadlines. For those without reliable access to technology or transportation, these compliance demands can feel overwhelming. The need for recertifications and regular renewals further adds to the burden.
Psychological Stress
Maintaining benefits while keeping up with program requirements creates cognitive overload for vulnerable populations. The stress and anxiety of managing applications, following up on decisions, and fearing denials or delays create mental strain, especially for those facing economic and social pressures.
These barriers make it difficult for many individuals to access the support they need, compounding their health challenges. For example, hourly wage earners may not be able to take time off to file for benefits, while elderly populations often lack the digital literacy needed to navigate online systems.
Addressing these issues requires more than clinical intervention—it requires a comprehensive solution that tackles the social and administrative barriers that affect health.
Bridging the Gap with an AI Mobile Solution for Healthcare
Trust’s AI-powered mobile solution offers a way to tackle these challenges by simplifying the healthcare process and reducing the burdens associated with accessing benefits.
Here’s how this technology helps bridge the gap for vulnerable populations:
Simplified Learning and Application Processes
Trust’s AI mobile solution for healthcare automates many of the complex processes involved in benefits filing, making it easier for individuals to understand and complete applications.
By standardizing forms and simplifying the submission process, the platform helps applicants avoid common mistakes that lead to delays or denials.
The AI-powered platform can also provide personalized guidance based on individual circumstances, helping users better understand the eligibility requirements and next steps. This support reduces the cognitive load on vulnerable individuals, allowing them to focus on their health instead of grappling with bureaucratic complexities.
Real-Time Communication and Continuous Support
One of the biggest barriers to accessing healthcare is a lack of timely information. Trust’s platform enables real-time communication through SMS, voice, video, and email in the individual’s language and context, ensuring they receive updates about their benefits, reminders for upcoming deadlines, and alerts for available services.
For individuals who are disconnected from regular healthcare settings, this continuous engagement ensures that they stay informed and can access the support they need without missing critical deadlines.
Automated Compliance and Documentation
Trust’s platform reduces the administrative burden by automating compliance workflows. The platform can automatically request and submit documentation, manage recertification reminders, and track application status in real time.
This automation alleviates the need for individuals to manually track their benefits, which is particularly beneficial for those with limited access to technology or transportation.
By handling these tasks, Trust ensures that individuals don’t lose benefits due to missed deadlines or incomplete submissions, helping maintain continuous access to healthcare services and social support.
Proactive, Holistic Care Through AI-Powered Insights
The AI-powered platform can analyze patterns in health and benefits data to help last-mile agencies identify individuals who are at high risk of missing out on essential care or benefits.
For example, if a patient frequently misses appointments or struggles with medication adherence, the platform can flag this behavior and alert case managers or community health workers to take proactive steps. This allows agencies to provide more holistic care that addresses both medical and social needs. By focusing on individuals who require the most support, agencies can allocate their resources more effectively and improve overall health outcomes.
Why Last-Mile Agencies Are Key to Closing the 80% Gap
Last-mile agencies play a vital role in reaching vulnerable populations that might otherwise fall through the cracks of the healthcare system. These organizations often have deep connections within their communities and are trusted by the populations they serve. However, they face significant challenges in scaling their efforts to meet growing demands.
By adopting an AI mobile solution for healthcare like Trust’s, these agencies can expand their reach, improve service delivery, and coordinate care more effectively. Automation and real-time communication allow staff to focus on meaningful engagement rather than getting bogged down by administrative tasks.
Conclusion: Closing the Gap with Technology
With 80% of health impacts occurring outside of clinical settings, addressing the external factors that affect vulnerable populations is crucial for improving health outcomes. Platforms like Trust’s bridge this gap by offering real-time communication, automated compliance, and holistic support—ensuring that vulnerable and hard-to-reach individuals receive the care and services they need.
For last-mile agencies, this AI mobile solution for healthcare offers a scalable way to provide continuous support to underserved populations, ensuring that healthcare extends beyond the clinic into the everyday lives of the people who need it most.
If your organization is looking for a way to improve outcomes and reduce administrative burdens, it’s time to explore how Trust’s platform can help close the gap. Request a demo here.
