Bridging the Digital Divide: The interplay of Innovations in Digital Mental Health and Healthcare Disparities-View Presentation

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The virtual discussion focused on bridging the digital divide in mental health care, examining how digital health innovations interact with healthcare disparities. Dr. Nicole Christian-Brathwaite, joined by Dr. Hassan Mahmoud and Dr. Leroy Arenovar, led the conversation. The discussion explored the complexities and potential benefits of digital health solutions for marginalized groups, such as racial, linguistic, and sexual and gender minorities, especially within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic that spurred rapid telebehavioral health adoption due to heightened mental health issues and care access barriers.<br /><br />Dr. Mahmoud highlighted digital health's role in addressing SGM (sexual and gender minority) barriers to mental health care while noting the limitations like stigma and lack of culturally competent clinicians. Studies suggest telehealth can but doesn’t universally overcome such barriers.<br /><br />Dr. Arenovar addressed challenges faced by linguistic minorities, particularly Spanish-speaking individuals, in accessing digital health care and the need for digitally inclusive policies. He also highlighted data from a California study comparing synchronous and asynchronous telepsychiatry models for Spanish speakers, finding similar patient improvements in both.<br /><br />The conversation underscored digital literacy and systemic racism as critical to understand and tackling disparities. Though digital health promises to improve care access, complexities like the digital divide must be thoughtfully addressed, ensuring in-person care persists for those it benefits.<br /><br />The panel encouraged community-based strategies and policy advocacy to foster digital inclusion and equity, emphasizing the ongoing need for comprehensive, inclusive healthcare strategies.

Keywords

digital divide

mental health care

digital health innovations

healthcare disparities

marginalized groups

telebehavioral health

SGM barriers

linguistic minorities

digital literacy

systemic racism

digital inclusion

policy advocacy