Breaking Barriers: The Power of Artificial Intelligence in Advancing Health Equity

Accessing and obtaining quality clinical and medical care varies among different population groups in society. This leads to disparities in their health, longevity and quality of life. AI-driven tools and algorithms can use social determinants of health (SDoH) data, along with other data sets, to identify and address disparities in healthcare access and outcomes. AI algorithms collect, integrate, process and analyze large structured and unstructured datasets, including socioeconomic factors, neighborhood conditions, and healthcare utilization patterns, to identify populations at risk and design customized interventions accordingly. Moreover, AI facilitates targeted resource allocation, optimizing healthcare delivery to underserved communities. This chapter aims to explore applications of artificial intelligence tools and techniques to better understand and mitigate social determinants of health, and therefore promote equity, improve health outcomes, and reduce disparities across populations.