As per the World Health Organization “Health inequities are avoidable inequalities in health between groups of people within countries and between countries”. The interplay of social, economic, environmental and cultural determinants produce health inequity. Literature supports that by addressing the determinants of health disparities by relevant programs and policies can reduce the prevalent health disparities and improve the health of diverse population groups. This study would help in developing tailored intervention targeted to reduce the social, economic and health inequities. The research would help in identifying the key areas which need to be addressed through intervention to improve the health status of the general population.

Objective: The study aims to identify determinants of social, economic, and health inequity in diverse settings to enhance Healthy Eating and Active Living. It further aims to design and develop a digital health intervention HEAL (Healthy Eating Active Living) incorporating framework of human centred design to enhance Healthy Eating and Active Living among rural and urban population groups of Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
Duration: 15 months
Methods: A prospective, 3-year cohort study will be conducted. The study aims to recruit 6350 individuals across rural and urban settings of Chennai, Tamil Nadu. A total of eleven sites have been selected for participation in the study. Data will be gathered for sociodemographic, economic inequity, HEAL profile, depression, anxiety and stress, well-being, sources of health information, perceived access to health care, health literacy, navigation of health literacy, satisfaction with health system.

Integration of evidence-based behavioral change theoretical frameworks into the digital health intervention. Culturally tailored, visual depictions through infographics with community partner feedback. Interactive, multi-lingual culturally and contextually relevant digital health intervention.

The study would help to explore the determinants of social, economic and health inequity across multiple sites. Data analysis will be performed using SAS v9.3 and results will be reported as 95% CI and p-values. The findings of the study will inform the design and development of a tailored, interactive human centered digital intervention to enhance the health and well-being of the population groups of Chennai. The proposed study will help in examining the role of the proposed HEAL intervention to enhance the good health and well-being of the population groups of Chennai.

PMCHRI, Chennai, Tamil Nadu