Socioeconomic factors: access to and use of diabetes technologies

Individuals with diabetes who are of lower socioeconomic status (SES) are more likely to have poorer diabetes-related outcomes (e.g., poorer glycemic control and more avoidable complications). Digital health advancements provide unique opportunities to reduce health inequities for this high-risk group. This chapter addresses digital health interventions, including access to and use of these interventions by people of lower SES (P-LSES). In most cases, as technologies have progressed, they have become increasingly promising in their potential to meet the distinct needs of this high-risk group; however, it is largely unclear at this time whether these technologies are effective tools for P-LSES with diabetes, as research specific to this group has been limited. Future research must focus on digital technologies that are both purposefully designed for and thoughtfully delivered to individuals of lower SES; otherwise, technologies may further increase already existing disparities in diabetes outcomes across socioeconomic groups.