AOE22 Panel Description
Equity: Building the Case for Digital Health and Literacy in the HI Curriculum
Telehealth during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) exposed many opportunities in digital health, and most importantly, the PHE illuminated areas of health inequity in the US. Houser et al. found patient challenges in telehealth a genuine concern among providers. Moreover, Mamedova, S., Pawlowski, E. & Hudson, L. (2018) contend that approximately 32 million Americans are digitally illiterate, 1/3 of them are senior citizens, and many are low-income, black, or Hispanic. Building the case for digital health and digital literacy may not be needed since the literature shows many examples of digital illiteracy as a barrier to health. Vulnerable populations will continue to be underserved without intervention. This presentation discusses industry solutions and best practices (interventions) for digital literacy. In addition, health informatics and information management educators can play a significant role in educating their students on digital health and digital illiteracy as social determinants of health. The presentation concludes with an assignment that can be incorporated into any HIIM program.