학술논문
Advancing digital health equity: Directions for behavioral and social science research
Commentary/Position Paper
Commentary/Position Paper
Document Type
Academic Journal
Author
Source
Translational Behavioral Medicine. March 2023, Vol. 13 Issue 3, p132, 8 p.
Subject
Language
English
ISSN
1869-6716
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The field of digital health is multifaceted, complex, and has grown in popularity due to its potential for improving access to health-related information and healthcare, reducing healthcare system inefficiencies, [...]
The field of digital health is evolving rapidly and encompasses a wide range of complex and changing technologies used to support individual and population health. The COVID-19 pandemic has augmented digital health expansion and significantly changed how digital health technologies are used. To ensure that these technologies do not create or exacerbate existing health disparities, a multi-pronged and comprehensive research approach is needed. In this commentary, we outline five recommendations for behavioral and social science researchers that are critical to promoting digital health equity. These recommendations include: (i) centering equity in research teams and theoretical approaches, (ii) focusing on issues of digital health literacy and engagement, (iii) using methods that elevate perspectives and needs of underserved populations, (iv) ensuring ethical approaches for collecting and using digital health data, and (v) developing strategies for integrating digital health tools within and across systems and settings. Taken together, these recommendations can help advance the science of digital health equity and justice. Lay summary The field of digital health is quickly growing and changing. Digital health technologies have the potential to increase access to health-related information and healthcare and improve wellbeing, but it is important that those technologies don't widen existing health disparities or create new ones. Behavioral and social science researchers have a key role to play in centering equity in their research teams and theoretical approaches, focusing on key barriers to access, uptake, and usage, studying digital health in ways that elevate the voices and needs of historically underserved groups, being thoughtful about how digital health data are collected and used, and making sure that digital health tools are designed to be used in real-world settings. Keywords Digital health equity, Digital health, mHealth, health equity, Digital health literacy Implications Practice: Digital health tools are being used in a variety of settings. Additional work is needed to make sure these tools are effectively implemented and meet the needs of the intended end-users. Policy: Research using a digital health equity framework will better inform decision makers and support technologies that promote equity and do not create or exacerbate health disparities. Research: Approaches used by behavioral and social scientists can contribute to the digital health field by facilitating interdisciplinary team science with a focus on human behavior, whole person health, intervention development, the impacts of power and privilege on health, digital health literacy and engagement, the ethical use of health data, and real-world integration in multiple settings.
The field of digital health is evolving rapidly and encompasses a wide range of complex and changing technologies used to support individual and population health. The COVID-19 pandemic has augmented digital health expansion and significantly changed how digital health technologies are used. To ensure that these technologies do not create or exacerbate existing health disparities, a multi-pronged and comprehensive research approach is needed. In this commentary, we outline five recommendations for behavioral and social science researchers that are critical to promoting digital health equity. These recommendations include: (i) centering equity in research teams and theoretical approaches, (ii) focusing on issues of digital health literacy and engagement, (iii) using methods that elevate perspectives and needs of underserved populations, (iv) ensuring ethical approaches for collecting and using digital health data, and (v) developing strategies for integrating digital health tools within and across systems and settings. Taken together, these recommendations can help advance the science of digital health equity and justice. Lay summary The field of digital health is quickly growing and changing. Digital health technologies have the potential to increase access to health-related information and healthcare and improve wellbeing, but it is important that those technologies don't widen existing health disparities or create new ones. Behavioral and social science researchers have a key role to play in centering equity in their research teams and theoretical approaches, focusing on key barriers to access, uptake, and usage, studying digital health in ways that elevate the voices and needs of historically underserved groups, being thoughtful about how digital health data are collected and used, and making sure that digital health tools are designed to be used in real-world settings. Keywords Digital health equity, Digital health, mHealth, health equity, Digital health literacy Implications Practice: Digital health tools are being used in a variety of settings. Additional work is needed to make sure these tools are effectively implemented and meet the needs of the intended end-users. Policy: Research using a digital health equity framework will better inform decision makers and support technologies that promote equity and do not create or exacerbate health disparities. Research: Approaches used by behavioral and social scientists can contribute to the digital health field by facilitating interdisciplinary team science with a focus on human behavior, whole person health, intervention development, the impacts of power and privilege on health, digital health literacy and engagement, the ethical use of health data, and real-world integration in multiple settings.