Inequality Matters

The Role of Economic, Social, Cultural, and Person Capital in Explaining Inequalities in the Accessibility and Usability of Digital Health Technologies

Abstract

The use of digital health technologies could offer promising ways for sustainable health opportunities. However, the accessibility and use of such technologies differs between groups in society. Previous research indicates that differences in people’s socioeconomic position are associated with the degree to which they have access to and use digital health technology. Inequality in socioeconomic position is often operationalised as differences in economic capital. A more comprehensive definition of inequality that also encompasses differences in social, cultural and person capital provides a richer understanding of the interplay between inequality and the accessibility and use of digital health technology. In this paper we provide a theoretical rationale for the examination of access and use of digital health technology from a social inequality perspective. Specifically, we examine how variations in multiple types of capital may affect one of the leading models on the use of health technology (the UTAUT model) and its predictors. By doing so, we discuss the model in light of social inequalities and aim to contribute to bridging the gap between the literature on the acceptance and use of digital health technology, the digital divide, and social inequality.