Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications
Publication Date
8-1-2024
Journal
Journal of Medical Internet Research
DOI
10.2196/51355
PMID
39088246
PMCID
PMC11327633
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
8-1-2024
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Post-print
Published Open-Access
yes
Keywords
Humans, Health Equity, COVID-19, Health Services Accessibility, Telemedicine, Pandemics, SARS-CoV-2, Digital Technology, Digital Health, digital health, health equity, mobile health, mHealth, health care access, digital divide, behavioral medicine, implementation, mobile phone
Abstract
The potential and threat of digital tools to achieve health equity has been highlighted for over a decade, but the success of achieving equitable access to health technologies remains challenging. Our paper addresses renewed concerns regarding equity in digital health access that were deepened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our viewpoint is that (1) digital health tools have the potential to improve health equity if equitable access is achieved, and (2) improving access and equity in digital health can be strengthened by considering behavioral science-based strategies embedded in all phases of tool development. Using behavioral, equity, and access frameworks allowed for a unique and comprehensive exploration of current drivers of digital health inequities. This paper aims to present a compilation of strategies that can potentially have an actionable impact on digital health equity. Multilevel factors drive unequal access, so strategies require action from tool developers, individual delivery agents, organizations, and systems to effect change. Strategies were shaped with a behavioral medicine focus as the field has a unique role in improving digital health access; arguably, all digital tools require the user (individual, provider, and health system) to change behavior by engaging with the technology to generate impact. This paper presents a model that emphasizes using multilevel strategies across design, delivery, dissemination, and sustainment stages to advance digital health access and foster health equity.
Included in
Bioethics and Medical Ethics Commons, COVID-19 Commons, Epidemiology Commons, Health Policy Commons, Medical Sciences Commons