Strength recommendations have been embedded within the UK’s Chief Medical Officers’ physical activity guidelines since 2011. In 2019, they were given a more prominent position in the accompanying infographic. However, there is limited evidence that these recommendations have been successful in their population-wide dissemination. This study aimed to explore the engagement of community-dwelling older adults with the guidelines to date and to gain a nuanced understanding of the awareness, knowledge, and action that older adults take to fulfil strength recommendations. A total of fifteen older adults living in the UK participated in one online interview. A general inductive approach was used to generate themes from the data. There were four major themes that were found. 1. The strength component of the physical activity guidelines, 2. Barriers, 3. Motivators, and 4. Solutions. No participants were aware of the strength guidelines. When they were asked what activities they used to fulfil the ‘build strength on at least two-days-per-week′ criteria, walking, yoga, and Pilates were the most common responses. Ageism and strength training misconceptions were major barriers to participation in strengthening exercise. Older adults were much less aware of the benefits of building strength and strength training participation when compared to aerobic activities, so motivators to participation were generally not specific to strength training. Finally, there are several ways that practitioners can overcome the barriers to strength training participation. Solutions to improving the uptake and adherence to strength training participation are likely to be more successful when they include opportunities for social interaction, ability-appropriate challenge, and provide both short- and long-term benefits.

Background South Asian individuals experience a higher burden of chronic diseases and limited access to health care services compared with their Caucasian peers. Digital health interventions can enhance the delivery of health care, minimize health inequities, and consequently improve health status among minority ethnic groups. However, it is unclear how South Asian people view and perceive the use of digital health technologies to support their health needs. Objective The aim of the review is to identify South Asian individuals’ experiences and attitudes of digital health and explore the barriers and facilitators affecting their use of digital health services. Methods The Arksey and O’Malley methodological framework was used to guide this scoping review. Five electronic databases were examined for pertinent papers, which were augmented by searching bibliographies of the retrieved papers and gray literature. A total of 1328 potentially relevant papers were retrieved from the initial search, and the supplemental search added 7 papers to the final list of potentially included papers. Each paper on the initial inclusion list was independently reviewed, leaving 15 papers to be included in the review. Results Data were analyzed thematically leading to the development of two overarching themes: (1) barriers to uptake of digital health and (2) facilitators of use of digital health services. There was a general consensus that South Asian communities still struggle with inadequate access to digital health technologies. Some studies suggest multiple initiatives to improve accessibility and acceptability of digital health services within South Asian communities in order to mitigate health disparities and develop a more inclusive health care system. These include the development of multiple-language and culturally sensitive interventions and digital skill development sessions. Most studies were conducted in South Asian countries, focusing on measurable outcomes of digital health interventions. Few explored the experiences and views of South Asian community members residing in the West as a minority ethnic group, for example, British South Asians. Conclusions Literature mapping proposes that South Asian people frequently struggle with a health care system that may limit their access to digital health services, and sometimes fails to consider social and cultural needs. There is growing evidence that digital health interventions have the potential to facilitate supported self-management, which is part of the plans to adopt person-centered care. These interventions are particularly important for overcoming some of the challenges, for example, time constraints, safety, and gender sensitivity, associated with the delivery of health care interventions in minority ethnic groups such as South Asians in the United Kingdom, and thus to improve minority ethnic groups’ access to health care services to support individual health needs, and consequently enhance health status.

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Regulatory and other public policy issues in the future of biomedical engineering, as they relate to the development and use of medical devices, are discussed. At the federal level, agencies that directly influence the application of medical technology include the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), with its clinical trials and premarket and regulatory authority, and the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), with its reimbursement policy. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Department of Commerce can have a considerable impact on corporate profitability, which is a driving force for most new technology and new product introductions. Another area of public policy that has been cited as significantly influencing health care and medical device development, namely, civil litigation, is also considered. To illustrate the issues, the impact of the regulatory environment on the application of computer software to a wide variety of medical products is examined. The humanistic and ethical problems brought about by technological advances are discussed. Ten key technologies that are likely to have the greatest importance in the next few years and ten external influences on the future of the medical device technology industry that have been identified by the Health Industry Manufacturers Association are described.

BackgroundProFouND is an EC funded initiative dedicated to the dissemination and implementation of best practice in falls prevention across Europe (12 countries). ProFouND has led annual falls prevention campaigns; collated a free access resources library; an online app to distribute tailored, best practice guidance, available in various languages; a cascade model training programme for exercise trainers across 10 countries and an “ICT for Falls Network” has been implemented to promote the development and adoption of novel ICT.Description of the problemEnsuring that robust research evidence is widely implemented is a key outcome for all healthcare researchers, however it is well established that there can be long delays in the translation of knowledge into practice. The objective of this work is to accelerate the impact and dissemination of evidence based falls prevention research through use of ICT technology, European wide collaboration and campaigning.MethodsThis presentation will describe effective strategies using ICT technologies, free access resources, media tools and context specific targeted campaigning to raise awareness of best evidence in falls prevention and to facilitate widespread implementation. ProFouND consortium partners and multi-sectorial stakeholders based throughout the regions (118) were invited to take part in a series of dissemination activities.Resources and information can be found at ProFouND.eu.comResultsIn this paper, we contribute to the narrative evidence-base by outlining key benefits, challenges and mechanisms that may enable effective implementation of research evidence relevant to other contexts. Following a comprehensive survey of all partners and associate partners (including EIP AHA), engagement from the 12 participating countries was largely achieved, particularly in areas with dedicated personnel. This resulted in widespread dissemination through public engagement events, television, radio and multi-sectorial stakeholders, health websites, social media and NGO uptake and coverage.ConclusionsAn understanding of methods to increase effective dissemination and implementation of robust evidence can ensure that effort is put to best use to improve public health knowledge in areas such as falls prevention. With relatively small investments of time and resources we conclude that ICT technologies for the dissemination of research are worthwhile and offer great potential in raising awareness, widening access and increasing engagement with best evidence falls prevention resources.

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BACKGROUND Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift towards digital provision of many services, including health and social care, public, financial and leisure services. COVID-19 services (test appointments and results, vaccination appointments etc.) were provided digital-first to the public. Many social, cultural, and economic activities, (appointments, ticket bookings, tax and utility payments, shopping etc.) have transitioned to online platforms. To use digitalised services individuals must be digitally included. This is influenced by three main factors: access, (whether individuals have access to internet); ability, (having requisite skills and confidence to participate online); and affordability, (ability to pay for infrastructure (equipment) and data packages). Many older adults, especially those aged 75+years, are still digitally excluded. OBJECTIVE To explore the views of adults aged 75+ on using digital technologies to access public services. METHODS We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with adults aged 75 years and above resident in Greater Manchester. Two distinct groups of older adults were recruited (1) those who were participating (to varying degrees) in digital activities and/or enrolled on a learning and support programme; (2) those who were not engaged digitally. We also interviewed community support workers. Thematic analysis was used to identify the key themes from the data. RESULTS Overall 24 older adults participated (mean age=81, 14 women, 23 White British, 18 digitally engaged) and 2 support workers. Six themes were identified as key in understanding issues around motivation, engagement, and participation; 1) ‘Initial motivation to participate digitally’; e.g. maintaining social connections and gaining skills to be able to connect with family and friends, 2) ‘Public services and freedom of choice’; in particular, little interaction with online public services apart from prescription ordering 3) ‘Narrow use and restriction of activity online’; undertaking limited tasks online and in a modified manner, e.g. checking but never transferring funds during online banking, 4) ‘Impact of digital participation on well-being’; choosing to go to the shops or GP surgery to get out of the house and get some exercise, 5) ‘The last generation?’, respondents feeling there were generational barriers to adapting to new technology and change 6) ‘Making digital accessible’; understanding the support needed to keep those engaged online. CONCLUSIONS The views of older people must be included as we move to greater digitalisation of services if we are not to exclude them from services for which they have great need.

BACKGROUND South Asian individuals experience a higher burden of chronic diseases and limited access to health care services compared with their Caucasian peers. Digital health interventions can enhance the delivery of health care, minimize health inequities, and consequently improve health status among minority ethnic groups. However, it is unclear how South Asian people view and perceive the use of digital health technologies to support their health needs. OBJECTIVE The aim of the review is to identify South Asian individuals’ experiences and attitudes of digital health and explore the barriers and facilitators affecting their use of digital health services. METHODS The Arksey and O’Malley methodological framework was used to guide this scoping review. Five electronic databases were examined for pertinent papers, which were augmented by searching bibliographies of the retrieved papers and gray literature. A total of 1328 potentially relevant papers were retrieved from the initial search, and the supplemental search added 7 papers to the final list of potentially included papers. Each paper on the initial inclusion list was independently reviewed, leaving 15 papers to be included in the review. RESULTS Data were analyzed thematically leading to the development of two overarching themes: (1) barriers to uptake of digital health and (2) facilitators of use of digital health services. There was a general consensus that South Asian communities still struggle with inadequate access to digital health technologies. Some studies suggest multiple initiatives to improve accessibility and acceptability of digital health services within South Asian communities in order to mitigate health disparities and develop a more inclusive health care system. These include the development of multiple-language and culturally sensitive interventions and digital skill development sessions. Most studies were conducted in South Asian countries, focusing on measurable outcomes of digital health interventions. Few explored the experiences and views of South Asian community members residing in the West as a minority ethnic group, for example, British South Asians. CONCLUSIONS Literature mapping proposes that South Asian people frequently struggle with a health care system that may limit their access to digital health services, and sometimes fails to consider social and cultural needs. There is growing evidence that digital health interventions have the potential to facilitate supported self-management, which is part of the plans to adopt person-centered care. These interventions are particularly important for overcoming some of the challenges, for example, time constraints, safety, and gender sensitivity, associated with the delivery of health care interventions in minority ethnic groups such as South Asians in the United Kingdom, and thus to improve minority ethnic groups’ access to health care services to support individual health needs, and consequently enhance health status. CLINICALTRIAL