The new scientific statement, "The Role of Technology in Promoting Heart Healthy Behavior Change to Increase Equity in Optimal Cardiovascular Health", was published in journal Circulation on April 7.
The scientific statement examines how technology-enabled, mobile devices and interventions (wearable devices, apps and telehealth or remote coaching) can help improve cardiovascular health behaviors. It also highlights barriers that need to be addressed to make these technologies more accessible to more people, particularly those affected by adverse social drivers of health.
The scientific statement highlights several health behaviors that can be positively impacted through the use of mobile health technologies:
- Physical activity
- Dietary intake
- Tobacco cessation
- Sleep
The scientific statement identifies several barriers limiting the access and use of health technologies among people in underserved or under-resourced communities. For example:
- The cost of smartwatches, fitness trackers and mobile app subscriptions
- Low digital literacy and/or no access or unreliable internet access
- Privacy concerns about how their personal health information will be used
- Language barriers and cultural relevance
The statement authors emphasize that more research including people in diverse populations is needed to help identify effective and scalable digital health interventions to promote cardiovascular health behaviors and increase equitable access to care.
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