Wallace Torres, co-founder and head of operations at WellTheory, is addressing significant disparities in autoimmune care, particularly among Hispanic and Latino patients. According to a University of Southern California study, these patients experience faster disease progression and greater severity of symptoms compared to their white counterparts. This disparity is evident in conditions like lupus, which disproportionately affects women of color.
Torres, a Puerto Rican American, was inspired to create WellTheory after witnessing his wife’s struggle with an autoimmune crisis. “We started going from doctor to doctor, trying to get answers,” Torres recalls. This personal experience, combined with discussions with co-founder Ellen Rudolph, highlighted the urgent need for accessible and effective autoimmune care. WellTheory, a virtual health company, offers nutrition and lifestyle coaching to manage autoimmune diseases. The company’s approach includes a comprehensive 60-minute assessment to understand patients’ histories and needs, followed by personalized care plans. These plans are designed to address common symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, and muscle weakness. Patients also have access to a community component and master classes on managing their conditions.
Torres emphasizes the importance of addressing health inequities from the outset. “From day one, our goal is access,” he says. WellTheory’s initial cash pay offering was priced low to build a business case for broader accessibility. As the company expands into the employer space, it continues to attract a diverse patient base, including many from minority groups. By tailoring care plans to individual circumstances and ensuring accessibility, WellTheory aims to mitigate the health disparities that disproportionately impact communities of color. Torres’s dedication to improving autoimmune care is a vital step towards achieving health equity.
See “Wallace Torres is trying to fight disparities in autoimmune care” (October 4, 2024)
