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Last month, CNF had the opportunity to speak with the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy (OSTP) about our Digital Access, Transitions of Care, and Peer Support programs.
The goal was to advise OSTP on digital and community health programs as they build Community Connected Health, a new of vision health delivery that combines digital health technologies and community-based approaches to lower the barriers to healthcare access and provide healthier lives for all Americans, especially those currently underserved.
This was not only a great opportunity to contribute to a larger step toward greater healthcare access across the country, but also for CNF to expand its footprint in the federal advocacy space.
After doctors and families across the country increasingly turned to telehealth after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, CNF has worked with caregivers and providers to learn how we can make digital health more effective. We learned that while telehealth can improve access and convenience for families, virtual appointments do not always result in quality appointments. And after launching our Digital Access Program in 2021, we gained further insights into what families are experiencing and needing as they live within the digital divide.
Our learnings and expertise on digital and community health programs will be combined with feedback from other stakeholders – physicians, advocates, government agencies, nonprofits, patients, and more – to help influence OSTP as they define Community Connected Health’s specific strategies and objectives.
We are encouraged to see that the report includes recommendations we support and advocated for, such as that it is critical to listen to and co-create with individuals, caretakers, and community-based organizations on their technology needs. Moving forward, we understand that there is more work that needs to be done, and are honored to be influencing policy and change.
For more information, read the final report here.