Reducing intervention- and research-induced inequalities to tackle the digital divide in health promotion

König, Laura M.; Krukowski, Rebecca A.; Kuntsche, Emmanuel; Busse, Heide; Gumbert, Laura; Gemesi, Kathrin; Neter, Efrat; Mohamed, Nor Firdous; Ross, Kathryn M.; John-Akinola, Yetunde O.; Cooper, Rosie; Allmeta, Anila; Silva, Anabelle Macedo; Forbes, Cynthia C.; Western, Max J.

doi:10.1186/s12939-023-02055-6

Reducing intervention- and research-induced inequalities to tackle the digital divide in health promotion

König, Laura M.; Krukowski, Rebecca A.; Kuntsche, Emmanuel; Busse, Heide; Gumbert, Laura; Gemesi, Kathrin; Neter, Efrat; Mohamed, Nor Firdous; Ross, Kathryn M.; John-Akinola, Yetunde O.; Cooper, Rosie; Allmeta, Anila; Silva, Anabelle Macedo; Forbes, Cynthia C.; Western, Max J.

Authors

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

Dr Cindy Forbes C.Forbes@hull.ac.uk
Senior Lecturer

Max J. Western

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.

Citation

König, L. M., Krukowski, R. A., Kuntsche, E., Busse, H., Gumbert, L., Gemesi, K., Neter, E., Mohamed, N. F., Ross, K. M., John-Akinola, Y. O., Cooper, R., Allmeta, A., Silva, A. M., Forbes, C. C., & Western, M. J. (2023). Reducing intervention- and research-induced inequalities to tackle the digital divide in health promotion. International Journal for Equity in Health, 22(1), Article 249. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-023-02055-6

Journal Article Type	Note
Acceptance Date	Nov 6, 2023
Online Publication Date	Dec 4, 2023
Publication Date	Dec 1, 2023
Deposit Date	Sep 5, 2024
Publicly Available Date	Sep 6, 2024
Journal	International Journal for Equity in Health
Electronic ISSN	1475-9276
Publisher	BioMed Central
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	22
Issue	1
Article Number	249
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-023-02055-6
Keywords	Digital technology; Health inequalities; Health inequity; Internet-based intervention; Determinants of health; Public health; Global health
Public URL	https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4484310

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