Technological interventions to address cardiovascular health disparities impacting racial minorities: Opportunities and challenges.

Abstract

Racial minority groups suffer from higher rates of cardiovascular disease CVD and related conditions relative to White Americans due to multiple factors, including on average lower income, hazardous neighborhoods, and reduced access to healthcare. Digital health (mHealth) technologies, such as mobile apps and wearable devices, are an increasingly utilized method of health management that provide a promising option for patients to track and manage aspects of their health in ways that can be integrated into daily life and shared amongst community members. However, challenges facing the widespread adoption of these technologies in underrepresented groups include limited digital health literacy, lack of cultural tailoring, and distrust of healthcare resources. To promote the adoption of mHealth in these communities, policy changes that establish community partnership at all levels of mHealth development, improve digital health literacy, and increase access to mHealth can be enacted.