Racism in mental health services is a barrier to equitable mental healthcare for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Providers can use HIPAA complaint emails to address racism and promote equitable mental healthcare for all.
Racism and mental health
According to Mental Health America (MHA), “People of color and all those whose lives have been marginalized by those in power experience life differently from those whose lives have not been devalued. They experience overt racism and bigotry far too often, which leads to a mental health burden that is deeper than what others may face.”
Furthermore, “racism is a mental health issue because racism causes trauma. And trauma paints a direct line to mental illnesses, which need to be taken seriously.”
HIPAA and racism
HIPAA addresses racism in mental healthcare by ensuring the privacy and security of patient information while promoting equitable care.
The HHS also enforces federal civil rights laws, protecting “the rights of individuals and entities from unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, or sex in health and human services.”
So, providers must use HIPAA compliant emails to safeguard all patients' protected health information (PHI).
Using HIPAA compliant emails to address racism
Advocating for equitable mental healthcare
HIPAA compliant emails can help providers advocate for better health outcomes in marginalized communities. For example, a provider can use de-identified patient data to identify disparities in care and work towards implementing targeted interventions to address these issues.
Additionally, providers can collaborate with community organizations and leaders to host educational workshops and events that address racism and its impact on mental healthcare.
Ensuring cultural competence
According to MHA, "Cultural incompetence of health care providers likely contributes to underdiagnosis and/or misdiagnosis of mental illness in BIPOC."
HIPAA compliant emails provide a platform for respectful conversations. Providers can integrate culturally competent practices into their HIPAA compliant emails to meet patients' cultural and linguistic needs, avoiding stereotypes or biases.
Furthermore, HIPAA compliant emails allow secure dialogue, enhancing trust between providers and patients to promote accurate diagnoses and effective treatment plans.
Preventing misdiagnosis and overdiagnosis
Mental health conditions are often misdiagnosed and overdiagnosed among “Black men [who are] four times more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia than their white male counterparts," explains the MHA. These misdiagnoses often lead to incorrect and possibly harmful treatment plans.
Providers can use HIPAA compliant emails to send questionnaires, request additional information, and clarify symptoms, so providers have a complete understanding of the patient's mental health status.
Additionally, providers can email specialists for a second opinion on the patient's condition to help reduce the risk of misdiagnosis.
Accessing youth mental health services
The MHA states, "BIPOC youth with behavioral and mental health conditions are more likely to be directed to the juvenile justice system than to specialty care institutions compared to non-Latinx white youth… [due to] higher rates of harsh disciplinary suspension and expulsion practices against BIPOC youth in schools compared to white youth.”
Providers can use HIPAA compliant emails to promote mental health services among BIPOC youth. For example, providers can securely email schools, juvenile justice systems, and mental health professionals, ensuring that all parties involved in a child's care are informed and working together.
Addressing the physical impact of racism
Since depression is the “most commonly reported condition across BIPOC [and] racial trauma can increase the risk of… PTSD," it can lead to serious physical and mental health conditions, like high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, and anxiety.
HIPAA compliant emails can include educational materials on high blood pressure, stress management strategies, and information about community resources that address both the mental and physical health impacts of racism.
Furthermore, providers can use HIPAA compliant emails to refer patients to therapists who specialize in racial trauma.
Read also: Addressing social determinants of health with HIPAA compliant texts
FAQs
What makes an email HIPAA compliant?
Providers must use a HIPAA compliant email solution, like Paubox, to safeguard patients’ protected health information (PHI). HIPAA compliant emails offer encryption, access controls, and other security measures, preventing unauthorized access and potential breaches.
Do providers need patient consent for HIPAA compliant emails?
Yes, providers must get explicit patient consent before sending their protected health information (PHI) via HIPAA compliant emails.
What are the penalties for HIPAA violations?
The penalties for HIPAA violations vary based on the level of negligence and can range from fines to criminal charges. Civil penalties can range from $100 to $50,000 per violation, with an annual maximum of $1.5 million. Criminal penalties include fines of up to $250,000 and imprisonment for up to ten years.
