Researchers use lessons from COVID-19 to enhance healthcare during emergencies

Exploring the resilience and adaptability of the U.S. healthcare system in response to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute assessed the resilience and adaptability of the U.S. healthcare system during the COVID-19 pandemic by analyzing patient records.
The findings revealed that while the healthcare system showed a high level of adaptability, resilience was only moderate, with some services yet to fully rebound by the end of 2022.
States with high poverty levels and unemployment displayed lower resilience and adaptability in their healthcare systems, especially affecting communities with Black and Hispanic populations.
Chronic disease care demonstrated higher resilience and adaptability compared to maternal care, indicating the flexibility of long-term treatments across different care settings.
This research offers valuable insights to policymakers on how to modify policies to ensure equitable access to healthcare for all populations, even during extraordinary circumstances.

Report from NASEM finds disparities in healthcare access for many Americans