Access to digital health technologies: personalized framework and global perspectives

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Health Equity
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Digital health technologies (DHT) offer potential to democratize healthcare and reduce disparities.
• Limited access to DHT is a significant barrier to achieving these healthcare goals.
• Access is influenced by social determinants, digital determinants (literacy, infrastructure), and economic factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and address challenges hindering widespread access to DHT.
• To propose a personalized framework for improving DHT access across diverse populations.
• To examine global perspectives on DHT access and potential solutions.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on DHT access and determinants.
• Analysis of social and digital determinants of health.
• Development of a multi-level personalized framework (individual to industry).
• Global framing of challenges and common themes.

Main Results:

• Limited access to DHT is a major obstacle to equitable healthcare.
• Access is influenced by a complex interplay of social, digital, economic, and commercial factors.
• A personalized, multi-level framework is proposed to enhance DHT access.

Conclusions:

• Addressing determinants of DHT access is crucial for benefiting under-represented communities.
• Equitable access to DHT can fill clinical evidence gaps and prevent perpetuating historical biases.
• A global perspective with tailored solutions is essential for realizing the full potential of DHT.