Breaking Barriers: How to Make Healthcare Accessible for All

Access to healthcare should be universal, yet systemic barriers continue to disproportionately affect Black, disabled, and low-income communities. At BlackDoctor.org’s second annual “State of Black Health: What Now Black Health” Summit, Andrea Jennings, producer and accessibility strategist for Lights, Camera, Access!, moderated a powerful discussion on health disparities, AI-driven accessibility, and policy-driven solutions. Meet the Panelists Donna Finale – US Sustainability Lead, UCB Dr. Herb Caldwell, EdD – Chief of Compliance & Engagement, Logan University Michael Bervell – Founder and CEO, TestParty Hosted in collaboration with USA TODAY, the “Disability, Access to Care” panel addressed healthcare inequities in chronic illness, the future of AI in accessibility, and the urgent need for diverse leadership in decision-making. Key Takeaways from the Panel 1. Addressing Lupus Disparities in Black Women Lupus disproportionately affects Black women, yet many experience delays in diagnosis and struggle to access specialists. Donna Finale emphasized the critical barriers in lupus care: “It’s rare to be in a room where no one knows someone who has lived with or lost their life to lupus. It’s often misdiagnosed—or not diagnosed at all.” “It’s also a leading cause of death for young Black women. But what’s heartbreaking is that real change is...