Digital Inclusion in Social Determinants of Health

SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2022), “Social determinants of health (SDOH) are the nonmedical factors that influence health outcomes. They are the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life… SDOH are one of three priority areas for Healthy People 2030, along with health equity and health literacy. Healthy People 2030 sets data-driven national objectives in five key areas of SDOH: healthcare access and quality, education access and quality, social and community context, economic stability, and neighborhood and built environment. Some examples of SDOH included in Healthy People 2030 are safe housing, transportation, and neighborhoods; polluted air and water; and access to nutritious foods and physical health opportunities”.

https://www.cdc.gov/about/sdoh/index.htmlLinks to an external site.

course RESOURCES- please use some

Benda, N. C., Veinot, T. C., Sieck, C. J., & Ancker, J. S. (2020). Broadband internet access is a social determinant of health!Links to an external site.. American Journal of Public Health, 110(8), 1123-1125. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2020.305784
Dykes, P. C., Rozenblum, R., Dalal, A., Massaro, A., Chang, F., Clements, M., Collins, S. …Bates, D. W. (2017). Prospective evaluation of a multifaceted intervention to improve outcomes in intensive care: The Promoting Respect and Ongoing Safety Through Patient Engagement Communication and Technology Study Download Prospective evaluation of a multifaceted intervention to improve outcomes in intensive care: The Promoting Respect and Ongoing Safety Through Patient Engagement Communication and Technology Study. Critical Care Medicine, 45(8), e806–e813. doi:10.1097/CCM.0000000000002449
gov. (2018c). What is an electronic health record (EHR)?Links to an external site.Retrieved from
https://www.healthit.gov/faq/what-electronic-health-record-ehr
Rao-Gupta, S., Kruger, D. Leak, L. D., Tieman, L. A., & Manworren, R. C. B. (2018). Leveraging interactive patient care technology to Improve pain management engagementLinks to an external site.. Pain Management Nursing, 19(3), 212–221.
Sieck, C. J., Sheon, A., Ancker, J. S., Castek, J., Callahan, B., & Siefer, A. (2021). Digital inclusion as a social determinant of healthLinks to an external site.. NPJ Digital Medicine, 4(1), 52.  https://doi.org/10.1038/s41746-021-00413-8
Skiba, D. (2017). Evaluation tools to appraise social media and mobile applicationsLinks to an external site.. Informatics, 4(3), 32–40.
Sharma, P., & Patten, C. A. (2022). A need for digitally inclusive health care service in the United States: Recommendations for clinicians and health care systemsLinks to an external site.. Permanente Journal, 26(3). https://doi.org/10.7812/TPP/21.156

To Prepare:

Reflect on the concept of social determinants of health as presented in the resources.
Contemplate whether digital inclusion or broad band access should be added to the 5 key areas of social determinants of health.
Using the optional outside resources or other peer reviewed journal articles, consider how electronic health records, mobile health, patient portals, or telemedicine can impact and be impacted by the social determinants of health.

Post a description of your views on whether or not digital inclusion or broad band access should be added as a key area to the social determinants of health. Be specific and provide examples that support your position. Explain how electronic health records, mobile health, patient portals, or telemedicine can impact and be impacted by the social determinants of health. Support your explanation with the required or optional resources.

200–250-word APA format. 3 references and 3 intext citation

In my view, digital inclusion and broadband access should definitely be added as key areas to the social determinants of health. The rapid advancement of technology has made access to digital resources and the internet essential for various aspects of daily life, including healthcare. Lack of digital inclusion and broadband access can exacerbate health disparities and limit individuals’ ability to access critical healthcare services and information. Here are some examples to support this position:

Access to Telemedicine: Telemedicine relies on internet connectivity, and without broadband access, individuals in rural or underserved areas may not be able to consult with healthcare providers remotely. This lack of access can result in delayed or inadequate medical care, impacting health outcomes.
Electronic Health Records (EHRs): Electronic health records play a crucial role in modern healthcare, improving the efficiency and quality of care. Patients in areas without digital inclusion or broadband access may face challenges in accessing their EHRs, making it difficult to manage their health, track medications, or share information with healthcare providers.
Patient Portals: Patient portals allow individuals to access their health information, schedule appointments, and communicate with healthcare teams. Limited digital access can hinder patients’ ability to engage with these portals, potentially leading to reduced engagement in their own healthcare and poorer health outcomes.
Mobile Health (mHealth): Mobile health apps can provide valuable health information and tools for managing chronic conditions. However, without access to mobile devices and reliable internet, individuals may miss out on the benefits of mHealth apps, further widening health disparities.
Health Education: Access to online health resources and information is crucial for health education. Individuals without broadband access may have limited access to reliable health information, affecting their ability to make informed decisions about their health.

Incorporating digital inclusion and broadband access into the social determinants of health acknowledges the importance of technology in modern healthcare and the potential impact on health outcomes. It aligns with efforts to promote health equity by ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their geographical location or socioeconomic status, have equitable access to the digital resources necessary for their health and well-being.