### Discussion Post
#### Should Digital Inclusion or Broadband Access Be Added to the Key Areas of Social Determinants of Health?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2022), “Social determinants of health (SDOH) are the nonmedical factors that influence health outcomes. They are the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life… SDOH are one of three priority areas for Healthy People 2030, along with health equity and health literacy. Healthy People 2030 sets data-driven national objectives in five key areas of SDOH: healthcare access and quality, education access and quality, social and community context, economic stability, and neighborhood and built environment. Some examples of SDOH included in Healthy People 2030 are safe housing, transportation, and neighborhoods; polluted air and water; and access to nutritious foods and physical health opportunities” (CDC, 2022). Given the expanding role of technology in healthcare, I believe that digital inclusion or broadband access should be added as a key area to the social determinants of health.
#### The Case for Digital Inclusion or Broadband Access
**Digital Inclusion:** Access to the internet and digital technologies is becoming increasingly important in accessing healthcare services, education, job opportunities, and social connections. Digital inclusion ensures that all individuals and communities, including the most disadvantaged, have access to and can use information and communication technologies (ICTs). This inclusion is vital for participating fully in modern society.
**Broadband Access:** Reliable broadband access is essential for telemedicine, online education, and remote work. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of broadband access became more evident as many services shifted online. Without broadband access, many individuals are unable to participate in telehealth appointments, access health information, or use patient portals to manage their health.
**Examples:**
– **Telemedicine:** Broadband access allows patients to consult with healthcare providers remotely, reducing the need for travel and increasing access to care for those in rural or underserved areas.
– **Patient Portals:** These online systems enable patients to access their health records, schedule appointments, and communicate with their healthcare providers, enhancing patient engagement and self-management.
#### Impact of Health IT on Social Determinants of Health
**Electronic Health Records (EHRs):**
– **Impact on SDOH:** EHRs can improve healthcare access and quality by providing comprehensive patient information to healthcare providers, facilitating better-coordinated care, and reducing medical errors. However, disparities in EHR adoption and use can exacerbate existing health inequalities.
– **Example:** Rural healthcare providers may lack the resources to implement advanced EHR systems, leading to disparities in the quality of care compared to urban areas.
**Mobile Health (mHealth):**
– **Impact on SDOH:** mHealth applications can enhance access to health information and services, particularly for individuals in remote or underserved areas. However, limited digital literacy and access to smartphones can restrict the benefits of mHealth.
– **Example:** Text message reminders for medication adherence can improve health outcomes but may not reach older adults who are less familiar with mobile technology.
**Patient Portals:**
– **Impact on SDOH:** Patient portals can empower patients by providing access to their health information and facilitating communication with healthcare providers. However, disparities in broadband access and digital literacy can limit the use of patient portals.
– **Example:** Older adults or individuals with limited English proficiency may struggle to navigate patient portals, leading to unequal access to health management tools.
**Telemedicine:**
– **Impact on SDOH:** Telemedicine can bridge gaps in healthcare access, particularly in rural or underserved areas, by allowing remote consultations with healthcare providers. However, the lack of broadband access and digital literacy can hinder the effectiveness of telemedicine.
– **Example:** During the COVID-19 pandemic, many patients relied on telemedicine for routine care. Those without broadband access or digital literacy were at a disadvantage, highlighting the need for digital inclusion.
### Conclusion
In conclusion, digital inclusion and broadband access are essential components of modern healthcare and should be considered key areas of social determinants of health. Ensuring equitable access to digital technologies and the internet can help bridge gaps in healthcare access and quality, ultimately improving health outcomes for all individuals. By integrating digital inclusion into the framework of social determinants of health, we can work towards a more equitable healthcare system that leverages technology to enhance patient care and reduce health disparities.
### References
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Social determinants of health. Retrieved from [https://www.cdc.gov/about/sdoh/index.html](https://www.cdc.gov/about/sdoh/index.html)
2. Healthy People 2030. (n.d.). Social determinants of health. Retrieved from [https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/social-determinants-health](https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/social-determinants-health)
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### Response to Colleague 1
#### Digital Inclusion: A Different Perspective
**Colleague’s View:** Digital inclusion should not be added as a key area to the social determinants of health because the current areas adequately cover the essential factors influencing health outcomes.
**Response:** While I understand the viewpoint that existing SDOH categories might implicitly cover digital inclusion through aspects like education access and quality or economic stability, the rapid integration of digital technology into healthcare suggests that digital inclusion deserves explicit recognition. The digital divide can create significant barriers to accessing healthcare services, particularly telemedicine, which is crucial for individuals in remote areas. Moreover, digital literacy and access to reliable internet are increasingly becoming prerequisites for patient engagement and self-management, which are critical for achieving positive health outcomes. Therefore, explicitly recognizing digital inclusion as a key area would ensure targeted interventions to bridge this gap.
### Response to Colleague 2
#### Insights on Telemedicine and SDOH
**Colleague’s View:** Discussed the role of telemedicine in enhancing healthcare access but focused more on economic stability as the primary SDOH.
**Response:** Your insights on telemedicine’s role in improving healthcare access are compelling, especially in the context of economic stability. Telemedicine indeed reduces costs associated with travel and time off work, thus supporting economic stability. However, it’s important to note that telemedicine’s effectiveness is also heavily dependent on digital inclusion and broadband access. Without reliable internet, many economically disadvantaged individuals cannot benefit from telehealth services. By emphasizing digital inclusion, we can enhance the impact of telemedicine across all SDOH areas, ensuring equitable access and utilization of healthcare services for all populations.
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By engaging in these discussions, we can deepen our understanding of how digital inclusion intersects with various social determinants of health and advocate for comprehensive strategies that address these interconnected factors to improve health outcomes for all.
SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH
Introduction: Use Walden White paper or the CDC
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2022), “Social determinants of health (SDOH) are the nonmedical factors that influence health outcomes. They are the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life… SDOH are one of three priority areas for Healthy People 2030, along with health equity and health literacy. Healthy People 2030 sets data-driven national objectives in five key areas of SDOH: healthcare access and quality, education access and quality, social and community context, economic stability, and neighborhood and built environment. Some examples of SDOH included in Healthy People 2030 are safe housing, transportation, and neighborhoods; polluted air and water; and access to nutritious foods and physical health opportunities”.
https://www.cdc.gov/about/sdoh/index.htmlLinks to an external site.
RESOURCES
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity. Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
To Prepare:
· Reflect on the concept of social determinants of health as presented in the resources.
· Contemplate whether digital inclusion or broad band access should be added to the 5 key areas of social determinants of health.
· Using the optional outside resources or other peer reviewed journal articles, consider how electronic health records, mobile health, patient portals, or telemedicine can impact and be impacted by the social determinants of health.
BY DAY 3 OF WEEK 9
Post a description of your views on whether or not digital inclusion or broad band access should be added as a key area to the social determinants of health. Be specific and provide examples that support your position. Explain how electronic health records, mobile health, patient portals, or telemedicine can impact and be impacted by the social determinants of health. Support your explanation with the required or optional resources.
BY DAY 6 OF WEEK 9
Respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days using one or more of the following approaches:
· Respond to a colleague whose views differed from yours on whether digital inclusion of broad band access should be added as a key area to the social determinants of health. Expand on your colleagues’ posting by providing additional insights or contrasting perspectives based on the readings.
· Respond to a colleague who discussed a different health IT system than you did. Share an insight from having read your colleagues’ posting, synthesizing the readings to provide new perspectives on how the system can impact or be impacted by the social determinants of health.
*Note: Throughout this program, your fellow students are referred to as colleagues.
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