An introduction to digital determinants of health

An introduction to digital determinants of health

January 4, 2024 | Swathikan Chidambaram, Bhav Jain, Urvish Jain, Rogers Mwavu, Rama Baru, Beena Thomas, Felix Greaves, Shruti Jayakumar, Pankaj Jain, Marina Rojo, Marina Ridaq Battaglino, John G. Meara, Viknesh Sounderajah, Leo Anthony Celi, Ara Darzi
This paper introduces the concept of digital determinants of health (DDOH) and provides a conceptual model to understand their influence on healthcare outcomes. DDOH are the intrinsic design, implementation, and use of technology that interact with social determinants of health (SDOH) to shape health outcomes. The authors highlight the need to recognize DDOH as a distinct entity, separate from SDOH, to ensure that digital health technologies are truly digitally inclusive. They discuss various forms of digital health, such as artificial intelligence (AI), telemedicine, and digital health literacy (DHL), and how these technologies can both enhance and exacerbate health disparities. The paper emphasizes the importance of addressing DDOH in policy-making and technology development to promote equitable and accessible healthcare. It also outlines the roles of individuals, developers, service providers, and government bodies in fostering a digitally inclusive healthcare system. The authors conclude by calling for more empirical research to understand the complex interactions between DDOH and SDOH, and to develop targeted interventions to address health inequities.This paper introduces the concept of digital determinants of health (DDOH) and provides a conceptual model to understand their influence on healthcare outcomes. DDOH are the intrinsic design, implementation, and use of technology that interact with social determinants of health (SDOH) to shape health outcomes. The authors highlight the need to recognize DDOH as a distinct entity, separate from SDOH, to ensure that digital health technologies are truly digitally inclusive. They discuss various forms of digital health, such as artificial intelligence (AI), telemedicine, and digital health literacy (DHL), and how these technologies can both enhance and exacerbate health disparities. The paper emphasizes the importance of addressing DDOH in policy-making and technology development to promote equitable and accessible healthcare. It also outlines the roles of individuals, developers, service providers, and government bodies in fostering a digitally inclusive healthcare system. The authors conclude by calling for more empirical research to understand the complex interactions between DDOH and SDOH, and to develop targeted interventions to address health inequities.
Reach us at info@study.space