Exploring the Intersection and Crisis of Urban Sustainability, Policy, and Digital Health

Introduction

Health disparities, inadequate digital health literacy, and limited access to digital health technologies pose a significant crisis to urban minority communities, exacerbating existing inequalities in healthcare access, outcomes, and overall well-being. In recent years, advances in digital health have enabled researchers and clinicians to develop innovative solutions to address health disparities in urban areas, particularly in underserved communities (Kumar & Kumar,2020; Liu & Liu, 2019; Maharjan & Bhandari, 2020). Digital health technologies have been leveraged to improve access to health services, reduce health disparities, and promote urban sustainability (Kumar & Kumar,2020; Liu & Liu, 2019; Maharjan & Bhandari, 2020). Digital health is “using technology to deliver health care services, promote health, and manage health data” (Wang et al., 2018, p. 1). Digital health interventions can improve access to health care, provide education and information about health, and support self-management of health conditions (Wang et al., 2018). Digital health interventions are also increasingly used to improve health literacy and reduce health disparities. For example, digital health interventions can provide culturally and linguistically appropriate health information, facilitate communication between patients and providers, improve access to care, and track health outcomes (Longenecker et al., 2017).

A health disparity crisis is defined as “avoidable differences in the burden of disease, injury, violence, or opportunities to achieve optimal health experienced by socially disadvantaged populations,” exist in many urban areas and disproportionately affect underserved populations (CDC, 2020). These disparities create a significant crisis and are often the result of limited access to healthcare services, inadequate social services, and limited resources in the communities in which these populations reside (CDC, 2020). Urban minority communities frequently face lower income levels, limited access to quality education, and inadequate healthcare facilities. These factors contribute to reduced health awareness, delayed treatment, and a higher burden of chronic diseases and ultimately a community-based crisis. Digital health technologies offer an innovative approach to address these disparities, as they can provide a more equitable delivery of healthcare services and support to underserved populations.

Digital health technologies can also improve access to health services for underserved populations. For example, telehealth services, such as remote patient monitoring, can provide access to healthcare services that would otherwise be inaccessible due to distance or cost (CDC, 2020). Additionally, digital health technologies, such as mobile health applications, can provide individuals access to health information, resources, and support services (CDC, 2020). These technologies can help bridge the gap between healthcare providers and underserved populations and enable the delivery of healthcare services more equitably and cost-effectively.

Research has shown that digital health interventions can positively impact health outcomes, particularly for underserved populations (Longenecker et al., 2017; Wang et al., 2018). For example, a systematic review of digital health interventions by Longenecker et al. (2017) found that digital health interventions significantly improved health outcomes, including health-related quality of life, health behaviors, and health literacy. Furthermore, digital health interventions effectively improve access to care and health services for underserved populations, including those with limited access to traditional healthcare services (Longenecker et al., 2017).