Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-2021
Keywords
digital divide, health equity, technology, industry, information technology, social determinants of health, digital technology
Abstract
Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted various barriers to health and the necessity of having access to digital health services. The technology industry can support addressing health barriers, promoting health equity and partnering with organizations to ensure access to digital health services for underserviced communities. The main objective of this study was to 1) identify what initiatives have been developed within the technology industry to address digital health equity; and to 2) determine whether these initiatives have been effective.
Methods: A rapid review and a grey literature scan were conducted. The academic searches were performed using four databases, including Ovid MEDLINE, Scopus, CINAHL and PsychInfo. Two reviewers screened the articles for inclusion criteria. The grey literature scan was performed through Google and Million Short. Searches of technology industry initiatives were completed through scanning technology companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the Toronto Stock Exchange and iShares Expanded Tech Sector – Exchange Traded Fund.
Results: Within the technology industry, 39 companies had relevant initiatives. These were identified as having one or more of the following: 1) having health-related collaborations with other companies, 2) promoting access to technology infrastructure and 3) delivering programs that supported notable inequities within the social determinants of health. Limited data are available on the effectiveness of these initiatives in reducing health inequities.
Conclusions: As technology in the delivery of health services continues to evolve, health equity initiatives must be supported through innovative strategies. Partnering with the technology industry may be one way of addressing these health equity challenges.
Faculty
Faculty of Applied Health & Community Studies (FAHCS)
Journal
Digital Health
Volume
7
First Page
1
Last Page
9
Version
Publisher's version
Peer Reviewed/Refereed Publication
yes
Copyright
© Digital Health
Terms of Use
Terms of Use for Works posted in SOURCE.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Original Publication Citation
Durocher, K., Boparai, N., Jankowicz, D., Strudwick, G. (2021). Identifying technology industry-led initiatives to address digital health equity. Digital Health,7(205520762110561). https://10.1177/20552076211056156.
SOURCE Citation
Durocher, Keri; Boparai, Navi; Jankowicz, Damian; and Strudwick, Gillian, "Identifying Technology Industry-Led Initiatives to Address Digital Health Equity" (2021). Publications and Scholarship. 31.
https://source.sheridancollege.ca/fahcs_publications/31
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