- KOREAN
- E-ISSN2982-8007
E-ISSN : 2982-8007
Digital Health and Health Equity : Understanding and Challenges
Sujin Kim (Department of Health Care Policy Research, Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs)
Youn Jung (Department of Health Care Policy Research, Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs)
Sylvia Park (Department of Health Care Policy Research, Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs)
Bo Ram Yang (College of Pharmacy, Chungnam National University)
Inmyung Song (Department of Health Administration, College of Nursing and Health, Kongju National University)
Dong-Sook Kim (Department of Health Administration, College of Nursing and Health, Kongju National University)
Eunjeong Kang (Department of Health Administration and Management, Soonchunhyang University)
Sang-Eun Choi (College of Pharmacy, Korea University Sejong Campus)
Abstract
Digital health technology (DHT) is gaining significant policy and industrial support, driven by expectations that it will improve users' access to and utilization of healthcare services while making healthcare systems more efficient and cost-effective. However, concerns have been raised that DHT may systematically exclude digitally vulnerable groups throughout its development, adoption, and implementation, and application phases, potentially exacerbating health inequities. This paper seeks to explore how DHT is understood and addressed from a health equity perspective through a review of prior studies. First, it introduces developed frameworks to understand the relationship between DHT and health inequity. Second, it explores empirical studies on the utilization of DHT and its outcomes from a health equity lens. Third, it presents a case of policy aimed at reducing digital health inequity by introducing a ‘Framework for NHS action on digital inclusion’ of NHS England. Lastly, it reviews recommendations and suggestions for the equitable utilization and research of DHT, offering insights into the challenges facing health equity research.
- keywords
- Digital Health Technology, Health Equity, Health Disparities, Policy
- Received
- 2024-12-27
- Revised
- 2025-01-25
- Accepted
- 2025-02-06
- Published
- 2025-03-31
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