Across the United States, more than 70 million people live in rural or underserved urban areas where access to quality healthcare remains a daily challenge. These communities face a unique set of barriers: provider shortages, transportation difficulties, outdated systems, and social determinants such as income and education that limit access to essential health services. The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed and intensified these disparities, underscoring the urgent need for scalable, inclusive, and resilient healthcare solutions.
Digital transformation is more than a technological upgrade—it is a catalyst for health equity and improved outcomes. By reimagining how healthcare organizations operate, engage with communities, and deliver care, digital solutions can bridge longstanding gaps and foster trust where it matters most. Publicis Sapient’s work with public health agencies and healthcare providers demonstrates how digital platforms can:
A powerful example of digital transformation in action is the partnership with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). HRSA’s mission is to connect underserved communities with healthcare providers through federal programs such as loan repayment and scholarships. However, outdated mainframe systems and manual processes made it difficult to scale these programs and respond rapidly to emerging needs.
Publicis Sapient partnered with HRSA to deliver a comprehensive digital overhaul, replacing a 35-year-old mainframe and more than 23 legacy applications with a modern, web-based platform. The results were transformative:
This digital transformation has not only improved operational efficiency but has also driven measurable improvements in health equity and access, setting a new standard for public health IT modernization.
Drawing from extensive experience with healthcare organizations and public health agencies, several best practices emerge for tailoring digital strategies to the unique needs of rural and underserved communities:
Start with a deep understanding of patient needs, pain points, and behaviors. Co-create solutions with patients, caregivers, and providers to ensure digital journeys are intuitive, accessible, and empathetic—especially for those with limited digital literacy or access.
Leverage data and modular architectures to deliver tailored experiences, such as medication reminders, financial support tools, and wellness recommendations. Personalization is especially impactful in regions where trust in the healthcare system may be fragile.
Ensure patients can move effortlessly between digital and physical touchpoints, with consistent access to information, services, and support. This is vital for rural and urban populations who may rely on a mix of in-person and virtual care.
Build for agility and scalability. Cloud-native platforms and API-centric strategies enable rapid deployment of new features, integration with partners, and future-proofing against evolving needs—critical for responding to regional surges in demand or public health crises.
Automate manual processes, streamline workflows, and ensure regulatory compliance to free up staff for higher-value interactions and reduce costs. This is particularly important for public health agencies operating with limited resources.
Modernizing digital pharmacy and telehealth services is essential for bridging the access gap. For example, Publicis Sapient helped a leading U.S. healthcare services provider roll out a new end-to-end digital pharmacy experience, prioritizing user experience best practices and developing a modular, cloud-native architecture. The impact was immediate: increased adoption of digital pharmacy services, higher satisfaction scores, reduced call center dependency, and lower abandonment rates throughout the patient journey. Home delivery and telehealth-enabled pharmacy services further empower patients with mobility or transportation challenges, enabling virtual consultations and medication management within a secure, HIPAA-compliant environment.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, a major U.S. grocery chain needed to rapidly scale its pharmacy operations to deliver millions of vaccinations. Publicis Sapient developed a centralized, cloud-based platform that integrated desktop, mobile, and in-store experiences, automated and personalized vaccination management, and ensured compliance and seamless data sharing. This enabled the grocer to service over 10 million vaccination requests, reduce manual work for pharmacists by 50%, and cut prescription abandonment by 75%—demonstrating the power of digital solutions to drive public health outcomes at scale.
Publicis Sapient’s proven frameworks and deep expertise in digital transformation empower healthcare organizations and public health agencies to:
By modernizing legacy systems, creating seamless digital journeys, and enabling personalization and operational efficiency, Publicis Sapient helps organizations put patients at the center of their digital strategy—driving better health outcomes, stronger loyalty, and sustainable growth.
The future of healthcare is digital, connected, and equitable. By embracing digital transformation tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities of specific regions, public sector leaders and healthcare organizations can ensure that every community—no matter how remote or underserved—has access to the care and support it deserves.
Ready to transform your public health programs and bridge the gap in access and equity? Let’s shape the future of digital relationships in health, together.