Addressing health disparities through IT: A review of initiatives and outcomes

Abstract

This paper provides a comprehensive review of information technology (IT) initiatives to address health disparities and evaluate their outcomes. Health disparities, defined as unequal health outcomes and access to healthcare across different population groups, are a persistent challenge globally. IT, including telehealth, electronic health records (EHRs), mobile health (mHealth) applications, and data analytics, presents innovative opportunities to mitigate these disparities. The review discusses the successes and challenges of these IT initiatives, highlighting their potential to enhance healthcare access, improve the quality of care, and promote health equity. Telehealth has been instrumental in bridging the gap for remote and underserved populations, while EHRs have improved care coordination. mHealth applications offer personalized health interventions, and data analytics is crucial in identifying and addressing health disparities. However, the effectiveness of these IT solutions is hindered by barriers such as the digital divide, lack of digital literacy, and privacy concerns. The paper calls for continued investment in accessible and equitable IT initiatives. It emphasizes the need for a multidisciplinary approach involving policymakers, healthcare providers, and IT professionals to implement effective solutions. Through this review, the paper aims to contribute to understanding how IT can be leveraged to combat health disparities, offering insights for future research and policy development.