The Role of Digital Health Equity Audits in Preventing Harmful Infodemiology
Abstract BackgroundHealth disparities persist and are influenced by digital transformation. Although digital tools offer opportunities, they can also exacerbate existing inequalities, a problem amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic and the related infodemic. Health equity audit (...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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JMIR Publications
2025-05-01
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| Series: | JMIR Infodemiology |
| Online Access: | https://infodemiology.jmir.org/2025/1/e75495 |
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| author | Massimiliano Biondi Fabio Filippetti Giorgio Brandi Elsa Ravaglia Sofia Filippetti Pamela Barbadoro |
| author_facet | Massimiliano Biondi Fabio Filippetti Giorgio Brandi Elsa Ravaglia Sofia Filippetti Pamela Barbadoro |
| author_sort | Massimiliano Biondi |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Abstract
BackgroundHealth disparities persist and are influenced by digital transformation. Although digital tools offer opportunities, they can also exacerbate existing inequalities, a problem amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic and the related infodemic. Health equity audit (HEA) tools, such as those developed in the United Kingdom, provide a framework to assess equity but require adaptation for the digital context. Digital determinants of health (DDoH) are increasingly recognized as crucial factors influencing health outcomes in the digital era.
ObjectiveThis editorial proposes an approach to extend HEA principles to create a specific framework, the digital health equity audit (DHEA), designed to systematically assess and address health inequities within the design, implementation, and evaluation of digital health technologies, with a focus on DDoH.
MethodsWe propose a cyclical DHEA model based on existing HEA principles, integrating them with digital health equity frameworks. The DHEA cycle comprises six phases: (1) scoping the audit and mobilizing the team (including community members); (2) developing the digital health equity profile and identifying inequities (assessing DDoH at individual, interpersonal, community, and societal levels); (3) identifying high-impact actions to address DDoH and inequities; (4) prioritizing actions for maximum equity impact; (5) implementing and supporting change; and (6) evaluating progress and impact, and refining. This method emphasizes multilevel interventions and stakeholder engagement.
ResultsThe main result is the articulation of the DHEA framework: a structured, 6-phase cyclical model to guide organizations in the analysis and proactive mitigation of digital health–related disparities. The framework explicitly integrates the assessment of DDoH across multiple levels (individual, interpersonal, community, societal) and promotes the development of targeted interventions to ensure digital solutions promote equity.
ConclusionsThe DHEA model offers an integrated approach to consider social, epidemiological, health, and technological variables, aiming to reduce health inequities through the conscious use of new technologies. It is emphasized that digital technologies can be the cause or the solution to inequalities; DHEAs are proposed as a tool to foster equity. Its systematic adoption, along with a collaborative approach (co-design) and trust building, can help ensure that the benefits of health digitization are equitably distributed while strengthening trust in institutions. Continued attention is needed to manage emerging challenges such as infodemiology in the era of big data and artificial intelligence. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-850a339d754b4c17ab2cfe79d46c8fba |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2564-1891 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | JMIR Infodemiology |
| spelling | doaj-art-850a339d754b4c17ab2cfe79d46c8fba2025-08-20T02:05:29ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR Infodemiology2564-18912025-05-015e75495e7549510.2196/75495The Role of Digital Health Equity Audits in Preventing Harmful InfodemiologyMassimiliano Biondihttp://orcid.org/0009-0004-6160-5764Fabio Filippettihttp://orcid.org/0009-0002-8479-9739Giorgio Brandihttp://orcid.org/0000-0003-1380-6137Elsa Ravagliahttp://orcid.org/0009-0003-6743-5519Sofia Filippettihttp://orcid.org/0000-0003-3676-9885Pamela Barbadorohttp://orcid.org/0000-0003-1495-0165 Abstract BackgroundHealth disparities persist and are influenced by digital transformation. Although digital tools offer opportunities, they can also exacerbate existing inequalities, a problem amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic and the related infodemic. Health equity audit (HEA) tools, such as those developed in the United Kingdom, provide a framework to assess equity but require adaptation for the digital context. Digital determinants of health (DDoH) are increasingly recognized as crucial factors influencing health outcomes in the digital era. ObjectiveThis editorial proposes an approach to extend HEA principles to create a specific framework, the digital health equity audit (DHEA), designed to systematically assess and address health inequities within the design, implementation, and evaluation of digital health technologies, with a focus on DDoH. MethodsWe propose a cyclical DHEA model based on existing HEA principles, integrating them with digital health equity frameworks. The DHEA cycle comprises six phases: (1) scoping the audit and mobilizing the team (including community members); (2) developing the digital health equity profile and identifying inequities (assessing DDoH at individual, interpersonal, community, and societal levels); (3) identifying high-impact actions to address DDoH and inequities; (4) prioritizing actions for maximum equity impact; (5) implementing and supporting change; and (6) evaluating progress and impact, and refining. This method emphasizes multilevel interventions and stakeholder engagement. ResultsThe main result is the articulation of the DHEA framework: a structured, 6-phase cyclical model to guide organizations in the analysis and proactive mitigation of digital health–related disparities. The framework explicitly integrates the assessment of DDoH across multiple levels (individual, interpersonal, community, societal) and promotes the development of targeted interventions to ensure digital solutions promote equity. ConclusionsThe DHEA model offers an integrated approach to consider social, epidemiological, health, and technological variables, aiming to reduce health inequities through the conscious use of new technologies. It is emphasized that digital technologies can be the cause or the solution to inequalities; DHEAs are proposed as a tool to foster equity. Its systematic adoption, along with a collaborative approach (co-design) and trust building, can help ensure that the benefits of health digitization are equitably distributed while strengthening trust in institutions. Continued attention is needed to manage emerging challenges such as infodemiology in the era of big data and artificial intelligence.https://infodemiology.jmir.org/2025/1/e75495 |
| spellingShingle | Massimiliano Biondi Fabio Filippetti Giorgio Brandi Elsa Ravaglia Sofia Filippetti Pamela Barbadoro The Role of Digital Health Equity Audits in Preventing Harmful Infodemiology JMIR Infodemiology |
| title | The Role of Digital Health Equity Audits in Preventing Harmful Infodemiology |
| title_full | The Role of Digital Health Equity Audits in Preventing Harmful Infodemiology |
| title_fullStr | The Role of Digital Health Equity Audits in Preventing Harmful Infodemiology |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Role of Digital Health Equity Audits in Preventing Harmful Infodemiology |
| title_short | The Role of Digital Health Equity Audits in Preventing Harmful Infodemiology |
| title_sort | role of digital health equity audits in preventing harmful infodemiology |
| url | https://infodemiology.jmir.org/2025/1/e75495 |
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