ZS addresses unconscious bias in pediatric asthma care

At ZS, advancing health equity is central to our mission of improving life and how we live it. We recognize that equitable healthcare means more than simply providing access—it means ensuring that every individual, regardless of race, income or background, receives the care they need to thrive. Our patient health and equity team partners with healthcare organizations to tackle systemic issues such as unconscious bias in clinical decision-making.

Where passion meets action

ZS team members like Kelly Hulsing, a strategy insights and planning consultant in San Francisco, are helping lead these efforts. Kelly has played a key role in our collaboration with Montefiore Medical Center, aimed at understanding how unconscious bias affects asthma care for Black and Hispanic communities.

Asthma disproportionately impacts these populations, and when not managed effectively, it can lead to higher rates of emergency visits, hospitalizations and mortality.

“Health equity is not just a professional focus for me; it’s a personal passion,” says Kelly. “We aim to create more inclusive, data-driven solutions that ensure everyone has the opportunity to reach their full health potential.”

Understanding the intention-action gap in asthma treatment

Through our work with Montefiore, we identified a critical issue in healthcare: the intention-action gap. This refers to the disconnect between what physicians say they value in treatment decisions and what they prioritize in practice.

In a 2023 study conducted between July and August, ZS surveyed 307 U.S. physicians to explore how these gaps influence pediatric asthma care. While most physicians reported prioritizing clinical factors, such as prior treatment and symptoms, important environmental triggers and demographic factors, like race and income, were often overlooked in real-world decisions. This omission disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic children, who are more likely to experience those risk factors.

“Our research revealed powerful insights about what influences physician behavior,” says Kelly. “Understanding those decision drivers is key to building more equitable, personalized care strategies.”

Raising awareness of racial disparities in healthcare

Although many physicians acknowledge that racial disparities exist in healthcare, particularly in access to care, the study revealed that only 40% were familiar with the concept of health equity. Even fewer integrated social drivers of health (SDOH)—like income, race or environmental conditions—into their decision-making.

“We never hope to find unconscious bias, but when we do, it’s an opportunity for change,” Kelly adds. “By raising awareness and providing the right training, we can help close these gaps and improve care for all.”

Why SDOH must be part of the solution

ZS’s findings show that few healthcare organizations consistently address SDOH in asthma care, despite their critical role in influencing outcomes. As our research continues, it’s clear that more collaboration across healthcare systems, life sciences companies and providers is needed to bridge the gap between clinical intent and actual practice.

Join us in building a more equitable future in healthcare

If you’re passionate about health equity, data-driven insights and making a real difference in underserved communities, explore open roles at ZS.

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