Honoring Juneteenth

Juneteenth marks a defining moment in American history — the day the last enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas, finally learned they were free. Though slavery in the Confederate states had been legally abolished in 1863, it took more than two years for enforcement to reach Galveston.

Today, Juneteenth stands as both a celebration of freedom and a reminder of unfinished work. It’s a moment to recognize the strength of the Black community and to confront the inequities that persist, including in healthcare, where disparities in access, treatment, and outcomes remain far too common.

At Eko, we recognize that health outcomes in the U.S. continue to reflect stark inequalities. Black Americans face significantly higher rates of cardiovascular disease, lower rates of early diagnosis, and more barriers to receiving quality care. These disparities are reflections of deep, systemic issues that demand urgent attention.

As we observe Juneteenth, we do so with humility, purpose, and a renewed commitment to advancing health equity.

Practicing what we believe

While we know our stethoscope technology alone won’t solve inequity, we believe it can play a critical role. Eko is committed to:

• Expanding access to early detection: We equip clinicians with AI-powered tools that help detect signs of heart disease earlier and more accurately, ensuring no patient is overlooked due to bias or resource limitations.
• Supporting care in underserved populations: We provide clinicians with remote auscultation technology that helps close diagnostic gaps and deliver high-quality care where it’s needed most.
• Amplifying clinical voices: We’re sharing and celebrating the work of Black healthcare professionals — and making sure their perspectives help guide the tools we create.
• Partnering with community-led initiatives: We support organizations like HeartSense, which brings free heart screenings, education, and advanced technology to communities across Louisiana and beyond. At this year’s 100 Black Men of America’s annual conference in New Orleans, HeartSense used Eko stethoscopes to provide screenings to attendees, reinforcing a shared commitment to preventing and managing chronic diseases that disproportionately impact Black Americans. Event attendee Dr. Tony Price, Senior Fellow – Center for Health Equity, NAACP, shared his perspective:
  

"Health equity is critical when it comes to preventing chronic and cardiovascular diseases in historically marginalized communities, especially the Black community, which has long faced higher prevalence and reduced access to care. Tools like those from Eko Health play a crucial role in bridging this gap by offering AI solutions tailored to the needs of communities most affected. Equitable resources must match the scale of need — and in our case, the need is great."  

Eko’s commitment

Juneteenth reminds us that progress in America — whether social or systemic — has never been immediate or evenly experienced. The same is true in healthcare, where access, outcomes, and trust continue to fall short for many Black communities. 

At Eko, we understand that advancing equity requires more than acknowledgment — it requires consistent action, collaboration, and accountability. From how we design our tools to how we support the clinicians using them, we’re committed to building a healthcare future where no community is left waiting for the care they deserve.

Because equity in healthcare doesn’t happen by chance. It happens by choice.

Let’s keep choosing it, together.

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