Reducing intervention- and research-induced inequalities to tackle the digital divide in health promotion
Abstract Social inequalities are an important contributor to the global burden of disease within and between countries. Using digital technology in health promotion and healthcare is seen by some as a potential lever to reduce these inequalities; however, research suggests that digital technology ri...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-12-01
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| Series: | International Journal for Equity in Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-023-02055-6 |
| _version_ | 1797398113425555456 |
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| author | Laura M. König Rebecca A. Krukowski Emmanuel Kuntsche Heide Busse Laura Gumbert Kathrin Gemesi Efrat Neter Nor Firdous Mohamed Kathryn M. Ross Yetunde O. John-Akinola Rosie Cooper Anila Allmeta Anabelle Macedo Silva Cynthia C. Forbes Max J. Western |
| author_facet | Laura M. König Rebecca A. Krukowski Emmanuel Kuntsche Heide Busse Laura Gumbert Kathrin Gemesi Efrat Neter Nor Firdous Mohamed Kathryn M. Ross Yetunde O. John-Akinola Rosie Cooper Anila Allmeta Anabelle Macedo Silva Cynthia C. Forbes Max J. Western |
| author_sort | Laura M. König |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Social inequalities are an important contributor to the global burden of disease within and between countries. Using digital technology in health promotion and healthcare is seen by some as a potential lever to reduce these inequalities; however, research suggests that digital technology risks re-enacting or evening widening disparities. Most research on this digital health divide focuses on a small number of social inequality indicators and stems from Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic (WEIRD) countries. There is a need for systematic, international, and interdisciplinary contextualized research on the impact of social inequality indicators in digital health as well as the underlying mechanisms of this digital divide across the globe to reduce health disparities. In June 2023, eighteen multi-disciplinary researchers representing thirteen countries from six continents came together to discuss current issues in the field of digital health promotion and healthcare contributing to the digital divide. Ways that current practices in research contribute to the digital health divide were explored, including intervention development, testing, and implementation. Based on the dialogue, we provide suggestions for overcoming barriers and improving practices across disciplines, countries, and sectors. The research community must actively advocate for system-level changes regarding policy and research to reduce the digital divide and so improve digital health for all. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T01:20:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f04b37cfa18e48ef924f64cb28dcc3f7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1475-9276 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T01:20:59Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal for Equity in Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-f04b37cfa18e48ef924f64cb28dcc3f72023-12-10T12:11:24ZengBMCInternational Journal for Equity in Health1475-92762023-12-012211710.1186/s12939-023-02055-6Reducing intervention- and research-induced inequalities to tackle the digital divide in health promotionLaura M. König0Rebecca A. Krukowski1Emmanuel Kuntsche2Heide Busse3Laura Gumbert4Kathrin Gemesi5Efrat Neter6Nor Firdous Mohamed7Kathryn M. Ross8Yetunde O. John-Akinola9Rosie Cooper10Anila Allmeta11Anabelle Macedo Silva12Cynthia C. Forbes13Max J. Western14Faculty of Life Sciences: Food, Nutrition and Health, University of BayreuthDepartment of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of VirginiaCentre for Alcohol Policy Research, La Trobe UniversityLeibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPSSMA Europe E.VInstitute for Nutritional Medicine, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of MunichRuppin Academic CenterDepartment of Psychology, Faculty of Human Development, University Pendidikan Sultan IdrisUniversity of FloridaDepartment of Health Promotion and Education, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of IbadanNuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of OxfordFaculty of Life Sciences: Food, Nutrition and Health, University of BayreuthInstituto de Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Federal do Rio de JaneiroWolfson Palliative Care Research Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of HullCentre for Motivation and Health Behaviour Change, Department for Health, University of BathAbstract Social inequalities are an important contributor to the global burden of disease within and between countries. Using digital technology in health promotion and healthcare is seen by some as a potential lever to reduce these inequalities; however, research suggests that digital technology risks re-enacting or evening widening disparities. Most research on this digital health divide focuses on a small number of social inequality indicators and stems from Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic (WEIRD) countries. There is a need for systematic, international, and interdisciplinary contextualized research on the impact of social inequality indicators in digital health as well as the underlying mechanisms of this digital divide across the globe to reduce health disparities. In June 2023, eighteen multi-disciplinary researchers representing thirteen countries from six continents came together to discuss current issues in the field of digital health promotion and healthcare contributing to the digital divide. Ways that current practices in research contribute to the digital health divide were explored, including intervention development, testing, and implementation. Based on the dialogue, we provide suggestions for overcoming barriers and improving practices across disciplines, countries, and sectors. The research community must actively advocate for system-level changes regarding policy and research to reduce the digital divide and so improve digital health for all.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-023-02055-6Digital technologyHealth inequalitiesHealth inequityInternet-based interventionDeterminants of healthPublic health |
| spellingShingle | Laura M. König Rebecca A. Krukowski Emmanuel Kuntsche Heide Busse Laura Gumbert Kathrin Gemesi Efrat Neter Nor Firdous Mohamed Kathryn M. Ross Yetunde O. John-Akinola Rosie Cooper Anila Allmeta Anabelle Macedo Silva Cynthia C. Forbes Max J. Western Reducing intervention- and research-induced inequalities to tackle the digital divide in health promotion International Journal for Equity in Health Digital technology Health inequalities Health inequity Internet-based intervention Determinants of health Public health |
| title | Reducing intervention- and research-induced inequalities to tackle the digital divide in health promotion |
| title_full | Reducing intervention- and research-induced inequalities to tackle the digital divide in health promotion |
| title_fullStr | Reducing intervention- and research-induced inequalities to tackle the digital divide in health promotion |
| title_full_unstemmed | Reducing intervention- and research-induced inequalities to tackle the digital divide in health promotion |
| title_short | Reducing intervention- and research-induced inequalities to tackle the digital divide in health promotion |
| title_sort | reducing intervention and research induced inequalities to tackle the digital divide in health promotion |
| topic | Digital technology Health inequalities Health inequity Internet-based intervention Determinants of health Public health |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-023-02055-6 |
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