Digital health platform Health in Her Hue recently announced that they’ve received $3 million in seed funding in support of addressing racial disparities when receiving health support.
Announced on Monday, the funding was provided by capital firm Seae Ventures with investments made by the HBCU Founders Fund and the Stanford Impact Fund.
Health in Her Hue is the first digital platform created to help Black women and other BIPOC women find healthcare providers. Created by CEO Ashlee Wisdom, the tech platform features more than 1,600 medical professionals in more than 60 medical fields.
Through the service, Health in Her Hue provides women with personalized care and culturally aware medical professionals. The platform also provides users with educational tools, including virtual events and articles as well as a place for discussions.
“I know first-hand the challenges women of color face to receive equal quality of care while not feeling seen and heard by the healthcare system,” said Wisdom in a press release. “Health In Her HUE is uniquely positioned to address the existing racial health disparities and connect our members with providers who are committed to hearing and understanding their unique lived experiences while providing quality care accordingly.”
Press play to hear @uche_blackstock ‘s beautiful wish for Black women and girls????.
— Health in Her HUE ™ (@HealthInHerHue) May 19, 2023
She also shares why #intersectionality is important to Black health, and how it can help healthcare providers provide more affirming care and treat their patients more adequately. pic.twitter.com/2RccphsB2s
Funding for the service comes amidst increased reports that existing medical technology can help exacerbate racial disparities.
Per a 2023 report released in the scientific journal JCO Oncology Practice, Black patients were disproportionately underserved using telehealth.
Created to address any disparities that may prevent patients from seeking medical care, telehealth was mostly underused by Black patients as they weren’t able to obtain access to the online patient portals.
Previously, telemedicine has been a source of medical mistrust among Black Americans.
The medical mistrust has been driven by numerous negative experiences overall, as in a 2022 Pew Research study, 56% of Black American participants said that they’ve had at least one negative experience with a healthcare professional.
As a result, a majority of participants, especially young Black women from the ages of 18 to 49, said that they would prefer to see a Black health provider for healthcare.
Through services such as Health in Her Hue, Black women and other BIPOC women are able to find professionals that are able to understand their experiences in the healthcare system.
“I’m proud of the impact Health In Her HUE has achieved thus far to ensure Black women and women of color have a safe space to prioritize their holistic health and well-being,” said Wisdom.
