Intersectional Disparities in Digital Health
A study examined digital health and mental health service use among US youth during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sexual minority youth, especially those of color, face elevated mental health challenges and barriers to care, which the pandemic exacerbated.
- The pandemic accelerated the shift to digital health services.
- This shift made it difficult to understand digital exclusion and the digital divide.
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these disparities and catalyzed a shift toward digital health and digital mental health services.
The study used data from the 2021 Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey (N=7705) to identify the prevalence of digital health service use among US adolescents.
Author summary: Study examines digital health disparities among US youth during the pandemic.