Mature aged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults are using digital health technologies (original research)

Connie Henson*, Felicity Chapman, Gina Shepherd, Bronwyn Carlson, Josephine Y. Chau, Josephine Gwynn, Deb McCowen, Boe Rambaldini, Katrina Ward, Kylie Gwynne

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)
77 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people avidly use technology for a variety of purposes. Digital health technologies offer a new way to build on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples propensity for early adoption and innovation with technology. Only limited research has focused on mature aged adults in non-urban locations as partners in digital health research and there is no research related to wearables for health tracking for this cohort. Objective: This paper provides insights into mature aged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults interest, use and trust of social media, apps and wearables to gain health information and manage health. Methods: This cross-sectional survey study was co-designed and co-implemented with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) in three locations in New South Wales, Australia. The 13-item survey was administered via a semi-structured interview. Results: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults (n = 78), in regional, rural and remote locations indicated their interest in and use of apps and wearables for health purposes. Mature aged participants, particularly women, used Facebook, ACCHS websites and YouTube for acquiring health-related information which they then shared online and in real life with a diversity of family, friends and colleagues. Conclusions: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are using digital health technologies to acquire and share health information and want to use apps and wearables for health management. Co-designed research enables a greater understanding of the diverse needs for different cohorts and informs culturally responsible design. Broader use of co-design will foster effective user-focused digital health communication and health-management.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-12
Number of pages12
JournalDigital Health
Volume8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 14 Dec 2022

Bibliographical note

Copyright the Author(s) 2022. Version archived for private and non-commercial use with the permission of the author/s and according to publisher conditions. For further rights please contact the publisher.

Keywords

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
  • co-design
  • cultural determinates of health
  • cultural safety
  • Digital health
  • health disparities
  • health trackers
  • Indigenous
  • social media
  • wearables

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