Breaking Barriers: BDO’s Culturally Attuned Chatbot Delivers Sexual Health Advice to Black Americans

How AI is helping tackle medical-related racial disparities

Getting and delivering the right health information—especially when it comes to sexual and reproductive health—depends on more than just accuracy. Sociocultural context is also crucial. Many health disparities in the US are the result of systemic insensitivity to specific groups of people.

That’s why it’s important BlackDoctor.org (BDO) is now offering an AI-powered chatbot created to dispense health and wellness advice. According to BDO’s press release, the organization “…is the only platform offering trusted, culturally sensitive health information tailored specifically for Black consumers.”

An article in POCIT (People of Color in Tech) lauds the HealthGuide bot and says :“This new feature provides round-the-clock support and draws from BDO’s repository of over 17,000 articles, ensuring that users receive tailored information related to chronic conditions, mental health, and healthy living.”

Accurate, culturally attuned advice

For almost twenty years or more, BDO has been “the leading health and wellness destination for people of color.”

BDO’s bot is one more way for the organization to fulfill its mission. And this makes sense, given that in the US and elsewhere, racially minoritized people frequently experience detrimental disparities and discrimination in health care, often contributing to higher mortality rates. Such discrimination is documented in numerous studies.

For example, a 2022 study published by researchers from Georgetown University and Louisiana State University stated:

“A compelling body of research supports the race concordance hypothesis, which asserts that racially minoritized patients who share the same race and ethnicity with their provider have improved communication, better perceptions of care, and better health outcomes.”

In 2022, the University of Michigan published a study which focused on screening and treating Black women for cervical cancer. The study found the majority of their respondents had “experienced discrimination in the medical setting.”

Quoting from the bio of Reginald Ware, BDO’s CEO, “Black people’s health needs are different and require a different game plan, one that leverages culture, content, and technology to improve health outcomes.”

Chatting about sexual health with BDO’s bot

I decided to chat with BDO’s new bot. But first I had to find it! I finally figured out that it was accessed through the tiny green word balloon located on the lower right portion of most (if not all) of the website pages and marked with a plus sign. I thought the chatbot—worthy of a press release—would be more prominently displayed.

But once I engaged with the bot, it was decidedly informative while also providing links to additional health-related information on the BDO site.

For example, when questioned regarding health disparities Black women might encounter when seeking sexual and reproductive health information and care, the AI answered:

“Black women face significant health disparities when seeking sexual and reproductive health assistance. Many experience cultural stigma and historical mistrust of the healthcare system, leading to delayed diagnoses and treatment initiation. Additionally, Black women are often underrepresented in clinical trials, which can result in a lack of access to effective treatments tailored to their specific needs.

“Socioeconomic factors like lack of health insurance and transportation challenges further complicate access to quality care.

“These barriers can delay necessary care, contributing to poorer health outcomes.”

I also asked the bot about specific sexual health issues of concern to trans women, including statistics:

“While the context provided doesn’t include specific statistics, it’s important to note that trans women may face increased risks related to sexual health, such as higher rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) compared to the general population. Regular screenings and open communication with healthcare providers about sexual history and health are crucial.

“For more tailored support and information, visiting organizations that focus specifically on the health of trans individuals could be beneficial. Unfortunately, I can’t provide specific statistics, but I encourage seeking out resources that can offer that information.”

Informational, not conversable

The HealthGuide bot creates its answers from the BDO website, which is an amazing resource with information on almost everything having to do with health, wellness, and medical conditions, including how to find a Black doctor and safe clinical trials for Black people.

Additionally, there is a considerable amount of sexual health information, located under the lifestyle category).

Though the HealthGuide bot functions well as a wellness resource, it doesn’t have much of a personality. Perhaps that’s fine, but I do note other bots capable of delivering medical information—such as India’s youth-focused SnehAI and Glitter Byte, the famous AI drag queen from the AIDS Healthcare Foundation—have many more human-like characteristics.

All in all, I was impressed by HealthGuide and will definitely keep it in mind as a resource. I’m looking forward to the development and deployment of more sexual health-related bots.

Image source: A.R. Marsh using Ideogram.ai