Multilevel Determinants of Digital Health Equity: A Literature Synthesis to Advance the Field

Annu Rev Public Health. 2023 Apr 3:44:383-405. doi: 10.1146/annurev-publhealth-071521-023913. Epub 2022 Dec 16.

Abstract

Current digital health approaches have not engaged diverse end users or reduced health or health care inequities, despite their promise to deliver more tailored and personalized support to individuals at the right time and the right place. To achieve digital health equity, we must refocus our attention on the current state of digital health uptake and use across the policy, system, community, individual, and intervention levels. We focus here on (a) outlining a multilevel framework underlying digital health equity; (b) summarizingfive types of interventions/programs (with example studies) that hold promise for advancing digital health equity; and (c) recommending future steps for improving policy, practice, and research in this space.

Keywords: digital health; health equity; health technology; social determinants of health.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Health Equity*
  • Health Policy*
  • Health Status Disparities
  • Humans
  • Social Determinants of Health