Digital health technologies like fitness trackers, smartwatches, and mobile apps show promise in helping people improve cardiovascular health, but significant barriers prevent equitable access across different socioeconomic groups, according to a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association.
The statement examines how mobile health interventions can support heart-healthy behaviors such as physical activity, nutrition, tobacco cessation, and sleep management. However, people impacted by adverse social drivers of health—including lower socioeconomic status, insufficient healthcare access, and housing instability—face substantial challenges in utilizing these technologies.
Nearly 130 million U.S. adults have cardiovascular disease, with over 70% experiencing overweight or obesity and half managing diabetes or prediabetes. These statistics underscore the critical importance of accessible health technologies that can support behavioral changes.
Key barriers to technology adoption include cost, digital literacy, unreliable internet access, privacy concerns, and cultural relevance. For instance, wearable devices may not accurately measure health metrics for individuals with darker skin tones, and many mobile health apps are not designed with diverse populations in mind.
The research suggests that interventions must be tailored to specific community needs, incorporating personalized messaging and culturally relevant content to effectively engage underserved populations. Multifaceted approaches that combine technology with traditional healthcare resources appear most promising in promoting long-term health behavior changes.
As healthcare becomes increasingly technology-driven, addressing these access disparities is crucial to improving cardiovascular health outcomes across all demographic groups.
