In relation to healthcare, underserved communities are characterized by inadequate access to and reduced utilization of preventive care and treatment. "Sociocultural factors, including differential environmental exposures, psychological stressors, poor diet and lacking health risk education contribute to disparities across socioeconomic statuses. Insufficient job security, child care opportunities and transportation availability present significant difficulties for underserved populations."*
However, advancements in technology offer an opportunity to improve healthcare, increase access to it, and improve health literacy for those in underserved areas. This article should discuss how robotics specifically can be used to increase health literacy in underserved populations. Points of focus can include: robotics in health education, robotics in doctors' offices and telehealth, bridging the demand/supply gap for healthcare in underserved areas through robotics, or how robotics can be used to address some of the root causes of healthcare inaccessibility.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://community.robotshop.com/blog/show/how-robotics-can-increase-health-literacy-in-underserved-populations