Digital health interventions for all: the role of cultural adaptions
research areas
timeframe
2025 - 2025
contact
vasileios.nittas@uzh.ch
Background: Cultural adaptations modify existing, evidence-based digital health interventions (DHIs) to align with the cultural needs and preferences of specific population groups. The rationale behind cultural adaptations is that (a) access to, (b) acceptance of, and (c) the use of health technologies are influenced by socio-cultural factors (e.g., language, norms, values), which are often overlooked in the design and implementation of DHIs.
Previous publications:
Nittas, V., Daniore, P., Chavez, S. J., & Wray, T. B. (2024). Challenges in implementing cultural adaptations of digital health interventions. Communications medicine, 4(1), 7.
Project Milestones
The workshop is scheduled for September or October 2025. The date will be announced here soon.
Call for participation
Members of the Health and/or Ethics communities are welcome to help co-organize and participate in the workshop.
Description (of work packages):
We are planning a workshop that will bring together national and international experts, stakeholders, and everyone interested in the topic—including members of the DSI and UZH—to discuss the role of cultural adaptations in digital health interventions (DHIs). The primary focus will be on their potential to create a digital health ecosystem that systematically includes and engages vulnerable and medically underserved population groups, such as ethnic minorities.
The workshop will begin with an introductory keynote, followed by a panel discussion, a series of presentations on the latest research, and interactive breakout sessions exploring different aspects of cultural adaptations in DHIs, such as their justification, methods, ethical considerations, and practical challenges. The event will conclude with a final panel discussion and a closing keynote.
Expected outcomes:
(a) Increased awareness and understanding of cultural adaptations in digital health
(b) Insights into best practices and challenges
(c) Insights into the latest research
(d) Identification of evidence gaps