Approaching digital health through an equity lens
Technology has the potential to profoundly transform healthcare worldwide – improving health, increasing access to care, and improving the cost effectiveness of our health services.
As we rapidly deploy technology, we introduce the risk that some individuals and populations will not be able to benefit from these technologies – creating a digital divide between those that are able to leverage technology and those who cannot. Unless we deploy technology equitably, we risk widening the gap in health and the burden of disease that exists among some vulnerable population groups.
The factors influencing the digital divide are complex – a multitude of factors and barriers span the entire digital pathway. Technology requires access to resources, the internet and devices, the skills and capacity to use these technologies, as well as the motivation to use them. These factors combine to influence whether an individual can and will use technology.
As we accelerate technology and our world becomes more digital, the voice of vulnerable populations must be heard.
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What barriers to some people face when using digital health technologies?
Access to internet and devices
Broadband access
6% of UK households did not use the internet – this is influenced by a number of factors such as socioeconomic and skills gaps.
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Geography
In the US, 1 in 3 rural communities lack the bandwidth needed for a remote video consultation.
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Age
26% of UK households with individuals over the age of 75 have no internet access (compared to 6% across the adult UK population).
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Data poverty
In the UK, 25 million low-income mobile phone users are on pay-as-you-plans, with many spending up to half their family budget on mobile phone costs.​​
Skills and capacity
Digital literacy
In the UK, 16% of the adult population cannot perform basic activities using digital devices (such as turning on a device).
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Health literacy
47% of European adults have basic or below basic health literacy (a person's ability to understand and use information to make decisions about their health).
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Low English proficiency
7.1 million UK adults have a reading age of under 9 years.
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Psychological Barriers
Trust
Certain populations are less likely to trust health technology, set against a backdrop of systemic racism, disenfranchisement and social injustice.
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Data privacy concerns
Only 61% of African and 57% of Asian countries have adequate legislation in place around data privacy – hindering the use of health technology.
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Cultural relevance
Cultural beliefs affect capacity and willingness to use health technology, and many health apps do not reflect a culturally diverse user base.
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