What features of DHI design and deployment enable or hinder engagement with DHIs by demographic groups likely to be affected by the digital divide? Protocol for a systematic scoping review (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine L. Jenkins ◽  
Sumayyah Imran ◽  
Aamina Mahmood ◽  
Katherine Bradbury ◽  
Elizabeth Murray ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Health Inequalities ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Health Improvement ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Demographic Groups ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Translation Services

UNSTRUCTURED Digital health interventions (DHIs) refer to interventions designed to support health-related knowledge transfer and deployed via digital technologies, such as mobile applications (apps) (Soobiah et al., 2020). DHIs are a double-edged sword: they have the potential to reduce health inequalities, for example by making treatments available remotely to rural populations underserved by healthcare facilities or by helping to overcome language barriers via in-app translation services. However, if not designed and deployed with care, DHIs also have the potential to increase health inequalities and exacerbate effects of the digital divide. Patient-level and public health measures delivered digitally therefore need to consider ways to mitigate the digital divide through DHI design, deployment and engagement mechanisms sensitive to the needs of digitally-excluded populations. This protocol outlines the procedure for a systematic scoping review focussing on features of DHI design and deployment that facilitate (or not) access to and engagement with DHIs by people from demographic groups likely to be affected by the digital divide. The results will have wider implications for researchers and policy makers using DHIs for health improvement peri-pandemic and post-pandemic and will inform best practices in the design and deployment of DHIs.

scholarly journals Young People’s Perspectives on and Experiences of Health-Related Social Media, Apps, and Wearable Health Devices

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria A. Goodyear ◽  
Kathleen M. Armour
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Young People ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Wearable Devices ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Health Technologies ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Shape Influence

: It has been reported from numerous international and socio-economic contexts that young people are becoming increasingly interested in and/or using social media, apps, and wearable devices for their health. Yet, there are few robust empirical accounts on the types of health-related information young people find, select, and use, the reasons for their choices, and how young people use these technologies in a way that influences their health-related knowledge and behaviors. This paper synthesizes findings from three separate projects that investigated over 1600 young people’s (age 13–19) perspectives on and experiences of health-related social media, apps, and wearable health devices. The findings show that young people are both critical and vulnerable users and generators of digital health technologies. Many young people experience a range of positive benefits for their physical activity, diet/nutritional, and body image related behaviors. Yet there are a number of risks, and young people report on the power of digital health technologies to shape, influence, and change their health-related behaviors. The paper concludes by providing new and evidence-based direction and guidance on how relevant adults (including teachers, parents/guardians, health professionals/practitioners, policy-makers, and researchers) can better understand and support young people’s engagement with digital health technologies.

scholarly journals How recommender systems could support and enhance computer-tailored digital health programs: A scoping review

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 205520761882472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kei Long Cheung ◽  
Dilara Durusu ◽  
Xincheng Sui ◽  
Hein de Vries
Keyword(s):  
Recommender Systems ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Health Programs ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Health Related

Objective Tailored digital health programs can promote positive health-related lifestyle changes and have been shown to be (cost) effective in trials. However, such programs are used suboptimally. New approaches are needed to optimise the use of these programs. This paper illustrates the potential of recommender systems to support and enhance computer-tailored digital health interventions. The aim is threefold, to explore: (1) how recommender systems provide health recommendations, (2) to what extent recommender systems incorporate theoretical models and (3) how the use of recommender systems may enhance the usage of computer-tailored interventions. Methods A scoping review was conducted, using MEDLINE and ScienceDirect, to identify health recommender systems reported in studies between January 2007 and December 2017. Information was subsequently extracted to understand the potential benefits of recommender systems for computer-tailored digital health programs. Titles and abstracts of 1184 studies were screened for the full-text screening, in which two reviewers independently selected articles and systematically extracted data using a predefined extraction form. Results A total of 26 articles were included for data extraction. General characteristics were reported, with eight studies reporting hybrid filtering. A description of how each recommender system provides a recommendation is described; the majority of recommender systems used messages as recommendation. We identified the potential effects of recommender systems on efficiency, effectiveness, trustworthiness and enjoyment of the digital health program. Conclusions Incorporating a collaborative method with demographic filtering as a second step to knowledge-based filtering could potentially add value to traditional tailoring with regard to enhancing the user experience. This study illustrates how recommender systems, especially hybrid programs, may have the potential to bring tailored digital health forward.

scholarly journals Digital technology and disease surveillance in the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. e053962
Author(s):  
Lorie Donelle ◽  
Jodi Hall ◽  
Brad Hiebert ◽  
Jacob J Shelley ◽  
Maxwell J Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Disease Prevention ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Disease Surveillance ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Health Goals ◽  
Digital Surveillance ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Media Channels

IntroductionInfectious diseases pose a risk to public health, requiring efficient strategies for disease prevention. Digital health surveillance technologies provide new opportunities to enhance disease prevention, detection, tracking, reporting and analysis. However, in addition to concerns regarding the effectiveness of these technologies in meeting public health goals, there are also concerns regarding the ethics, legality, safety and sustainability of digital surveillance technologies. This scoping review examines the literature on digital surveillance for public health purposes during the COVID-19 pandemic to identify health-related applications of digital surveillance technologies, and to highlight discussions of the implications of these technologies.Methods and analysisThe scoping review will be guided by the framework proposed by Arksey and O’Malley and the guidelines outlined by Colquhoun et al and Levac et al. We will search Medline (Ovid), PsycInfo, PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL (EBSCOhost), ACM Digital Library, Google Scholar and IEEE Explore for relevant studies published between December 2019 and December 2020. The review will also include grey literature. Data will be managed and analysed through an extraction table and thematic analysis.Ethics and disseminationFindings will be disseminated through traditional academic channels, as well as social media channels and research briefs and infographics. We will target our dissemination to provincial and federal public health organisations, as well as technology companies and community-based organisations managing the public response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Closing the Gap: A Human Rights Approach towards Social Determinants of Health

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 510-524 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brigit Toebes ◽  
Karien Stronks
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Social Determinants Of Health ◽  
Health Inequalities ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Public Perception ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Right

Social determinants of health are major contributors to population health as well as health inequalities. The public perception that health inequalities that arise from these social determinants are unjust seems to be widespread across societies. Nevertheless, there is also scepticism about the progress in the implementation of actual policies to reduce health inequalities. Scholars, activists and policy makers from various disciplinary backgrounds increasingly stress the value of the human rights approach to support policies addressing health inequalities, and to hold actors in policies to address social determinants accountable for these inequalities. The ‘right to health’, in conjunction with the other health-related human rights, captures most elements of social determinants of health, and makes clear appeals to the governmental authorities at all levels to take action when social injustices occur. Existing judicial and non-judicial cases show us how human rights can be instrumental in addressing inequalities in health.

scholarly journals Health Inequalities in Children and Adolescents: A Scoping Review of the Mediating and Moderating Effects of Family Characteristics

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 7739
Author(s):  
Miriam Blume ◽  
Petra Rattay ◽  
Stephanie Hoffmann ◽  
Jacob Spallek ◽  
Lydia Sander ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Health Inequalities ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
The United States ◽  
Family Characteristics ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Moderating Effects ◽  
Scoping Reviews

This scoping review systematically mapped evidence of the mediating and moderating effects of family characteristics on health inequalities in school-aged children and adolescents (6–18 years) in countries with developed economies in Europe and North America. We conducted a systematic scoping review following the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews recommendations. We searched the PubMed, PsycINFO and Scopus databases. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts and full texts. Evidence was synthesized narratively. Of the 12,403 records initially identified, 50 articles were included in the synthesis. The included studies were conducted in the United States (n = 27), Europe (n = 18), Canada (n = 3), or in multiple countries combined (n = 2). We found that mental health was the most frequently assessed health outcome. The included studies reported that different family characteristics mediated or moderated health inequalities. Parental mental health, parenting practices, and parent-child-relationships were most frequently examined, and were found to be important mediating or moderating factors. In addition, family conflict and distress were relevant family characteristics. Future research should integrate additional health outcomes besides mental health, and attempt to integrate the complexity of families. The family characteristics identified in this review represent potential starting points for reducing health inequalities in childhood and adolescence.

scholarly journals Research Trends on Mobile Mental Health Application for General Population: A Scoping Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2459
Author(s):  
Won Ju Hwang ◽  
Ji Sun Ha ◽  
Mi Jeong Kim
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Mobile Apps ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Stress Theory ◽  
Scoping Reviews ◽  
General Adult Population ◽  
Health Related

Background: Scoping reviews of the literature on the development and application of mental health apps based on theoretical suggestions are lacking. This study systematically examines studies on the effects and results of mental health mobile apps for the general adult population. Methods: Following PICOs (population, intervention, comparison, outcome, study design), a general form of scoping review was adopted. From January 2010 to December 2019, we selected the effects of mental health-related apps and intervention programs provided by mobile to the general adult population over the age of 18. Additionally, evaluation of methodological quality was assessed using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) checklist. Results: Fourteen studies were analyzed of 1205 that were identified; duplicate and matching studies were excluded. One was a descriptive study and 13 were experimental, of which randomized control trials (RCTs) accounted for 71.4%. Four of the mobile apps were developed based on cognitive behavior theory, one based on stress theory, and one on ecological instant intervention theory. These apps included breathing training, meditation, and music therapy. Stress, depression, and anxiety decreased using these apps, and some were effective for well-being. Conclusion: With the rapid development of technology related to mental health, many mobile apps are developed, but apps based on theoretical knowledge and well-designed research are lacking. Further research and practices should be conducted to develop, test, and disseminate evidence-based mHealth for mental health promotion. RCT studies are needed to expand the application to mental health services to various populations.

scholarly journals Inequalities in life expectancy by place of residence and its changes in Lithuania during 1990-2018

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Sauliune ◽  
O Mesceriakova-Veliuliene ◽  
R Kalediene
Keyword(s):  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Place Of Residence ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
Demographic Groups ◽  
National Mortality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Urban Rural ◽  
Notable Increase ◽  
Males And Females

Abstract Introduction Health inequalities have emerged as a big issue of public health in Lithuania. Recent studies have demonstrated increasing mortality differentials between different socio-demographic groups of the population. Urban/rural place of residence is related with a set of socio-economic characteristics, different access to material resources, presence or absence of social support, and attitudes to health-related behavior. The aim of the study To determine inequalities in life expectancy and its changes by place of residence (urban/rural) in Lithuania during 1990-2018. Methods Information on deaths and population numbers for the period of 1990-2018 was obtained from National Mortality Register and Population Register. Life expectancy for males and females of urban and rural populations was calculated using life tables. Changes in the magnitude of life expectancy inequalities by place of residence were assessed using rate differences (urban-rural); while trends in inequalities were estimated by conducting the Joinpoint regression analysis. Results Life expectancy among males and females was longer in urban compared to rural areas throughout the entire study period. Life expectancy increased statistically significantly for urban and rural males and females with the most notable increase for males, especially those living in rural areas (on average by 0.4% per year from 64.1 years in 1990 to 70.05 years in 2018). Inequalities in life expectancy by place of residence decreased statistically significantly among Lithuanian males from 3.48 years in 1990 to 1.39 years in 2018, while among females only the tendency of decrease was estimated. Conclusions Inequalities in life expectancy of males and females by place of residence decreased significantly in Lithuania throughout the period of 1990-2018, mainly due to positive changes in life expectancy among rural males. Key messages Inequalities in life expectancy of males and females by place of residence decreased significantly in Lithuania throughout the period of 1990-2018. Life expectancy increased for Lithuanian urban and rural males and females with the most notable increase for males, especially those living in rural areas.

scholarly journals Promoting Problem Solving About Health Management: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Evaluation of a Digital Health Intervention for Older Adults With Pre-Frailty and Frailty

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 233372142098568
Author(s):  
Annie T. Chen ◽  
Frances Chu ◽  
Andrew K. Teng ◽  
Soojeong Han ◽  
Shih-Yin Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Health Related

Background: There is a need for interventions to promote health management of older adults with pre-frailty and frailty. Technology poses promising solutions, but questions exist about effective delivery. Objectives: We present the results of a mixed-methods pilot evaluation of Virtual Online Communities for Older Adults (VOCALE), an 8-week intervention conducted in the northwestern United States, in which participants shared health-related experiences and applied problem solving skills in a Facebook group. Methods: We performed a mixed-methods process evaluation, integrating quantitative and qualitative data, to characterize the intervention and its effects. We focus on four areas: health-related measures (health literacy and self-efficacy), participation, problem solving skills enacted, and subjective feedback. Results: Eight older adults with pre-frailty and frailty (age = 82.7 ± 6.6 years) completed the study. There was an upward trend in health literacy and health self-efficacy post-intervention. Participants posted at least two times per week. Content analysis of 210 posts showed participants were able to apply the problem solving skills taught, and exit interviews showed participants’ increased awareness of the need to manage health, and enjoyment in learning about others. Conclusion: This mixed-methods evaluation provides insight into feasibility and design considerations for online interventions to promote health management among vulnerable older adults.

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