employers know about them
Maven Clinic, the world’s largest virtual clinic for women’s and family health, now offers support for autoimmune diseases.
“We really bonded over the fact that we are trying to care for populations that have been historically underserved and overlooked,” said Ellen Rudolph, co-founder and CEO of Well Theory. I’ll tell you. “Autoimmune diseases disproportionately affect women and people of color, and we are on a similar path. [Maven] We partner with employers to provide consumer care at zero cost. ”
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Well Theory’s platform provides users with a detailed assessment of their symptoms, as well as a care team of experts who can help alleviate symptoms through nutrition, sleep hygiene, stress management, and exercise. Users also have access to her twice-monthly one-on-one live video sessions with her care team, and unlimited messaging so patients can quickly ask questions or concerns as they arise. can.
“What we’re really focused on is bridging the gap between doctor visits to promote long-term health outcomes,” Rudolph says. “Unfortunately, there is no cure for these symptoms, so many people deal with them for the rest of their lives.”
Although Well Theory cannot diagnose users, the platform can make referrals. Rudolph, who was bedridden at the age of 25 due to an autoimmune disease, knows firsthand how frustrating the path to diagnosis can be. Lifestyle changes have helped me manage this condition, but I don’t have a clear answer as to what’s wrong. I would like to receive more guidance from my doctor about my symptoms instead of being constantly ignored.
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Rudolph says autoimmune diseases are not as rare as some people think, and in fact, in the past few decades alone, the incidence of autoimmune diseases in adolescents has tripled, according to the National Institutes of Health. Emphasize that it is.
“We now know that some of this may be due to environmental toxins, Western diets, and viral infections that cause long-term, COVID-19-like symptoms that are now thought to be autoimmune diseases. “It’s related to a variety of triggers,” she says. “The pandemic has certainly brought increased attention to these invisible diseases, as so many people have experienced long COVID-19 infections.”
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Rudolph urges employers to at least ask their health plan partners, carriers, and PBMs whether the care is comprehensive enough for employees to refer to the expert websites they need to get some answers. I advise you to do so. Just as importantly, Rudolph is asking corporate leaders to rethink their management style. Do you encourage your employees to take time off for their health? Are they supporters of flexibility? Do you give your employees as much control over their work environment as possible?
While some companies may be reluctant to take the step of Maven providing professional support, they can start building a workplace culture that doesn’t dismiss or punish people with chronic conditions. says Rudolph.
“When I was on my diagnostic journey, I didn’t know how to explain to my manager what was going on,” she says. “Be very careful how you handle these situations.”