Reducing the Health and Digital Divides: A Model for Using Community-Based Participatory Research Approach to E-Health Interventions in Low-Income Hispanic Communities

摘要

Low-incomeHispanics are themost digitally underserved population in theU.S. This articlenexamines the potential of community-based participatory research approach to e-healthnto decrease the disparities in access to technology and health information in low-incomenHispanic communities. To demonstrate this framework, we describe the process of designingna community-based e-health intervention to increase knowledge and parental self-efficacynin coping with young children’s mental health problems including mental health servicenutilization. Our model incorporates utilizing promotoras de salud (lay community healthneducators) and community media principles to create the content of e-health interventionsnand train community members in using the technology. This case study illustrates thenprocesses involved in using this approach, barriers for participatory e-health interventionsnin bridging the Digital Divide, and lessons learned.