Marginalized communities often face systemic barriers that limit their access to essential preventive health services, resulting in disproportionate rates of chronic diseases, late diagnoses, and poor health outcomes. To address these disparities, this study proposes a Digital Health Framework aimed at expanding access to preventive services through innovative, scalable, and culturally responsive digital interventions. The framework integrates telemedicine, mobile health (mHealth) applications, electronic health records (EHR), and community-based digital literacy programs to bridge the gap between healthcare providers and underserved populations. It emphasizes interoperability, real-time data sharing, and artificial intelligence-driven risk stratification to ensure timely screening, personalized health education, and proactive intervention. The framework is guided by principles of equity, accessibility, and community engagement. It leverages geospatial analytics and demographic profiling to identify high-need areas and tailor services to local needs. Additionally, it incorporates remote monitoring tools and AI-powered chatbots to facilitate early detection, promote behavior change, and support continuity of care. The model fosters partnerships between public health institutions, non-profit organizations, and local leaders to enhance trust, increase uptake, and ensure sustainability. Pilot implementation across select urban and rural communities demonstrates the framework’s potential to improve immunization coverage, cancer screening rates, and chronic disease management through digital access points. Preliminary results reveal increased utilization of preventive services, reduced travel-related costs, and enhanced patient satisfaction. Moreover, data from EHRs and mHealth platforms are used to monitor outcomes, inform policy decisions, and optimize resource allocation. This framework has significant implications for national and global health agendas, especially in meeting Sustainable Development Goal 3 on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all. By addressing digital divide issues and reinforcing health system integration, the proposed Digital Health Framework offers a transformative pathway for delivering equitable preventive care to marginalized populations.
Kuponiyi et al. (Wed,) studied this question.