Disparities in Telehealth for Liver Disease: Revealing What Was Hidden in Plain Sight

Excerpt

Disparities in liver disease care, including life-saving liver transplantation, have been well documented across socioeconomic status, race, gender, age, and geography [1]. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic, by disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups, has exacerbated pre-existing inequities in healthcare. In the realm of liver disease, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on social determinants of health in liver disease has touched all aspects of care. This is exemplified by reduced access to substance abuse therapy for patients with alcohol use disorder, food insecurity in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and limited access for all patients to appropriate screening tests. …