New Aboriginal health research is shedding light on how people in a very remote Northern Territory community use digital technology and what’s getting in the way of using it for healthcare.
The study, Digital Technology Use for Health and eHealth Literacy in a Very Remote Aboriginal Community in the Northern Territory, Australia: A Community-Based Study, was published in the Australian Journal of Rural Health. UCRH researcher David Edwards is a co-author on the paper, alongside a large team of collaborators.
Led through a community-based survey, the research was carried out face-to-face by local Aboriginal researchers. Around 20 per cent of the community took part, giving a rare, on-the-ground look at everyday access to devices and the internet.
The findings show that while digital technology is part of daily life for many people, there are still clear gaps. Some participants did not own a device or have internet access, and many relied on prepaid mobile data. Only a small number had used technology in direct connection with their healthcare, such as receiving appointment reminders.
At the same time, there is strong interest in using digital tools to find health information. Younger people were more confident navigating online health content, while older age groups faced more challenges.
The research points to a simple message. Better access to devices, more reliable internet and support to build digital skills could help close the gap between interest and real use in healthcare.
This work links closely with the WellMob project, led by Edwards and based at UCRH, which focuses on supporting social and emotional wellbeing through culturally relevant digital resources for Aboriginal communities.
