Sharing successes for advancing health equity: Breaking challenges and stereotypes of the digital divide

Presentation Type: Panel

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2026 Symposium Health Equity Presentation

Presentation Time: 09:45 AM - 11:00 AM

Abstract Keywords: Health Equity, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility, Patient Engagement and Preferences, User-centered Design Methods, Privacy and Security, Population Health, Usability, User-centered Design Methods
Working Group: Health and Healthcare Equity Working Group
Programmatic Theme: Consumer Health Informatics

Health informatics research has demonstrated that patients negatively impacted by the digital divide may actually be interested in using digital health tools for managing their health. Yet, research has also repeatedly shown how individuals with less educational attainment, limited health literacy, older ages, or non-English language preferences are less likely to adopt digital health tools. Panelists contend that assumptions about access barriers and viewing populations as a homogeneous group may misallocate resources and overlook potential technology users. Through this panel, we will discuss (1) common digital divide-related assumptions and beliefs as to who is “tech savvy” and “digitally literate”; (2) how these assumptions may impact the targeted patient groups; (3) examples of successful engagement of groups that have historically been excluded from digital innovations; and (4) lessons learned and “best-practices” for increasing adoption of digital health tools for patient populations impacted by the digital divide.

Moderator:
Hanna Barton, PhD
University of Wisconsin-Madison

Speaker(s):
Neslihan Gurol, PhD, MS, MBA, MACC, MPP
UNT
Beatriz Manzor, PharmD
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Author(s):
Marcy Antonio, PhD, MPH, FAMIA - University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; L Weaver, MLIS, PhD - University of Utah; Neslihan Gurol, PhD, MS, MBA, MACC, MPP - UNT; Tiffany Veinot, PhD - University of Michigan School of Information; Elaine Khoong, MD, MS - University of California San Francisco;

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