Digital health tools and research present a promise to scale effective interventions broadly, yet the promise of these tools has not been met. Digital health research has not always focused on addressing populations with the highest need or on reducing health disparities. Current models for developing and disseminating digital health interventions may serve (unknowingly) to increase health disparities. Incorporating the recommendations from intended users and knowledge of their technology usage/behaviors may help facilitate access and mitigate future intervention-generated inequalities.

Well-designed, accessible digital health tools and online resources have the potential to reach previously underserved populations. Truly accessible tools may overcome the limited health literacy skills of vulnerable or marginalized populations, to promote the scaling-up and scaling-out of theoretically sound, empirically based intervention approaches. Digital tools, tailored to the needs of providers, may enhance practice in day-to-day health care.

The goal of this Research Topic is to generate knowledge on how digital health can be leveraged to reach the most vulnerable and underserved. We are hoping to learn how technology-based tools and interventions can benefit all populations. We are seeking research that is focused on improving health equity via digital health from low-tech to high-tech solutions.

Topics of interest include:

-Human factor studies with vulnerable and underserved populations including people with a diagnosis of a serious mental illness, older adults, justice-involved, people experiencing homelessness, home-bound individuals
-Design with/for underserved populations
-Field usability testing with racially/ethnically diverse populations
-Algorithmic bias
-Big data equity and diversity
-Digital practice supports for providers and/or providers working collaboratively with patients

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Dr. Karen Fortuna declares affiliation with Trusst Health Inc., InquisitHealth, and Social Wellness. Dr. Adrian Aguilera acts as consultant for Syndi Health and Trusst Health Inc. All other Topic Editors declare no conflicts of interest.

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