![]() In 2019, 24.7% of adults in the United States who reported suffering from a mental illness, also reported having an unmet need for treatment (Mental Health America, 2022). With the average number of people seeking out mental health care increasing, professionals are being spread thin to cover the high demand. population is approximately double that of Black populations for both males and females” (SPRC, 2021). The suicide death rate for the overall U.S. population, the suicide death rate for men is more than three times the rate for women in Black populations. Among Black folx, “suicide rates peak during adolescence and young adulthood, as in the overall U.S. The CDC reports, “Demographic disparities in suicide persist, as evidenced by increasing rates among persons aged 25–34 years, Hispanic males, and non-Hispanic multiracial females” (CDC, 2022). ![]() An estimated 40% of all transgender people have attempted suicide” (Kota, K. For our transgender folx, “Daily experiences of anti-trans- gender stigma, prejudice, and discrimination become internalized and ultimately affect psychological health. Inconsistent cultural responsiveness perpetuates oppression, discrimination, and risk factors for health care disparities. They consistently report unmet needs attributed to the lack of culturally relevant treatment approaches. Diverse populations vary in how folx identify their race, ethnicity, gender, orientation, identity, religion, and socioeconomic status. As a healing community, we must recognize the diverse needs of our colleagues and the folx * we serve. In honor of our diverse populations, let us celebrate Juneteenth and Pride Month by embracing the opportunity to discuss safe spaces for healing in our health system. If we meet all of that, we will go on to our A round.Celebrating Diversity through Culturally Responsive Allyship “We look forward to rolling out those first products, continuing to build our network, have the operational boxes checked, and evaluate the data. “We are looking to verify our initial data, but even if we come close, this will be a steep ramp of growth,” she added. The company is operating in approximately six states and is expected to be in nearly all of the U.S. ![]() “It is at the intersection of clinical and lifestyle, so we want to feel seen, heard, celebrated and not the outright judgement.”Īs Folx begins seeing more patients–the hard launch will be in January–the new funding will go toward building out clinical networks and developing offerings around hormone replacement therapy and sexual health. “Family creation is a really interesting place where we need health care,” she added. Folx is also assisting with family creation, an aspect of health care not often tailored for the queer and trans communities, Breitenstein said. The startup offers gender reaffirming hormone therapy, erectile dysfunction treatment, at-home STI testing, one-on-one consultations, and prescriptions priced with or without insurance. And the population continues to grow, especially as more people don’t identify as either male or female. She estimates there are 11 million people in this group, many of whom are under 30 and don’t have a primary care physician. ![]() The population Folx is working with is “grossly underestimated,” Breitenstein said. Rather than just putting doctors online, her approach is to pull apart what health care means to the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as what it means for people to go to the doctor in order to tailor a care experience to the person instead of the basic model of diagnosis and treat, she added.įolx has built a network of 12 clinicians so far. “I looked at my own community, particularly the queer community, who often have horrible experiences, accessibility and discrimination.” “As a product person, I like that you can pick a group of people and build a telehealth experience,” Breitenstein told Crunchbase News. While looking at consumer telehealth platforms, she was attracted to their accessibility and care experience. Breitenstein is raising the bar of health care with the launch of Folx Health, which she touts as the first digital health provider designed with the medical needs and goals of the LGBTQIA+ community in mind.įounded in Boston this year, the company secured $4.4 million in seed funding from Define Ventures, Bessemer Venture Partners and Polaris Partners.īreitenstein comes from both health and investment backgrounds as a co-founder of Humedica and co-founder and partner at Optum Ventures.
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