Hinge Health partners with NABPT to promote diversity in the physical therapy field

Advances in technology and the growing adoption of digital health are providing new ways to make healthcare affordable and accessible to everyone. Yet, despite innovations and progress, our healthcare system continues to suffer from racial and ethnic disparities in care that remain pervasive throughout the United States.

Today, Hinge Health is proud to announce a partnership with the National Association of Black Physical Therapists (NABPT) to ensure that the profession of physical therapy (PT) better reflects the diverse population that it cares for. The two organizations will collaborate on advocacy efforts to encourage people of color to enter the field of physical therapy and help advance careers in digital health. Hinge Health will also provide educational support by sponsoring several NABPT scholarships annually for current and aspiring physical therapists.

“Hinge Health aims to be the most welcoming place to get musculoskeletal (MSK) care. By increasing diversity in physical therapy and championing health equity, we can do just that,” said Karen Stander, vice president of physical therapy and women’s health, Hinge Health. “With a track record of identifying gaps that perpetuate inequities and addressing them with effective and thoughtful programs, NABPT is the right partner for this initiative.”

Research suggests that bias, prejudice, and stereotyping from healthcare providers may lead to inappropriate treatment of patients. According to the 2022 State of MSK report, people of color are less likely to have access to modern and clinically validated treatments and more likely to receive opioids for pain relief. Physical therapists are integral to care teams treating musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, but the occupation lacks proper representation from people of color.

“With Hinge Health’s innovative Digital MSK Clinic model, physical therapists can serve many more patients than a traditional in-person physical therapy practice. By teaming up with Hinge Health, we hope to multiply our impact and make a measurable difference for representation in our field,” said Remi Onifade, PT, DPT, president, National Association of Black Physical Therapists. “NABPT is proud to be building a diverse PT community united by an unwavering commitment to equitable physical therapy treatment for people of color.”

NABPT will be holding its second annual conference on June 17-19, 2022. For more information about the conference and how to get involved with NABPT, please visit https://nabpt.org/nabpt-conference/.