SINI 2025: Addressing the Second Digital Divide: Strategies to Promote Digital Health Literacy and Equity
Author
Advisor
Date
Embargo until
Language
Book title
Journal
Publisher
Peer Reviewed
Type
Abstract
Research Area
Jurisdiction
Files
Other Titles
See at
Abstract
Digital determinants of health are among the most significant social factors impacting health and quality of life. Without reliable internet connectivity, patients cannot access health information or engage with organizations in their community, including their healthcare providers. While local and federal policymakers address digital health equity by closing gaps in infrastructure and access, digital health literacy has emerged as the second digital divide. Digital health literacy is defined as an individual’s ability to seek, appraise, and apply knowledge gained from electronic sources to address or solve a health problem. Surveys report that patients are finding it difficult to interpret and discern the quality of health information they find online. Patients also struggle to refine the skills and capabilities required to navigate digital and mobile health platforms. In response to this issue, several strategies have emerged to address digital inequities. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has developed a comprehensive toolkit that provides a framework for developing organizational policies. This guidance supports initiatives that prepare patients and clinicians to engage with digital tools meaningfully. This presentation will dive further into the patient, community, and health system level characteristics this toolkit outlines. Understanding digital health literacy frameworks is essential to a practical understanding of the scope of this issue and will assist participants in identifying areas of opportunity within their practice. Several assessments are currently in use, with many accepted by the Gravity project. Analysis of these instruments will review their benefits, limitations, and opportunities for improvement. An update on federal requirements around digital health literacy will precede a discussion of current trends. These trends include community-based literacy training programs that leverage existing national partnerships, the digital health navigator role, which builds upon the existing community health worker model, and Telehealth in Libraries. The nurse informatician, generalist nurse, advanced practice registered nurse, nurse educator, and nurse administrator will leave the session with practical tools for immediate implementation in inpatient and outpatient settings.
