Dr. Diane Hill Releases Co-Authored Report Through NJSPL on Promoting Digital Equity for Older Adults

Dr. Diane Hill has released a co-authored report through the New Jersey State Policy Lab entitled, "Senior Connect: A Community-Engaged Approach to Promote Digital Equity for Older Adults."

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way that we communicate and interact as a society and highlighted the need for digital literacy and internet access as critical communication methods to preserve population health. Unfortunately, this need also underscored deep inequities in access and use, especially as they relate to already medically disenfranchised populations like the urban poor and minority elderly.

The Senior Connect report, published by the New Jersey State Policy Lab and in collaboration with the Office of the University-Community Partnerships (OUCP)/Center for Health Equity and Community Engagement (CHECE) at Rutgers-Newark, galvanized community stakeholders to design and implement an effective, multi-modal training program to address digital literacy among older adults in Greater Newark and nearby communities. The researchers identified barriers, leveraged resources, and adapted user-friendly technology (Amazon Fire 7 tablets) to design a process that includes instructional support and coaching, training guides, programmed activities, and peer support to help older adults gain access to devices and improve proficiency in their use. 

Read the blog and report here: https://policylab.rutgers.edu/report-release-senior-connect-a-community-engaged-approach-to-promote-digital-equity-for-older-adults/