Digital Connectedness in the Jackson Heart Study: Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background Although new approaches for data collection, such as mobile technology and teleresearch, have demonstrated new opportunities for the conduct of more timely and less costly surveys in community-based studies, literature on the feasibility of conducing cardiovascular disease research using mobile health (mHealth) platforms among middle-aged and older African Americans has been limited. Objective The purpose of this study was to contribute to the knowledge regarding the penetrance of internet and mobile technologies, such as cellphones or smartphones in existing large cohort studies of cardiovascular disease. Methods A digital connectedness survey was conducted in the Jackson Heart Study (JHS), a Mississippi-based African American cohort study, as part of the annual follow-up calls with participants from July 2017 to February 2019. Results Of the 4024 participants contacted, 2564 (63.7%) completed the survey. Among survey respondents, 2262 (88.2%) reported use of internet or cellphone, and 1593 (62.1%) had a smartphone. Compared to nonusers (n=302), internet or cellphone users (n=2262) were younger (mean age 80.1, SD 8.0 vs 68.2, SD 11.3 years), more likely to be affluent (n=778, 40.1% vs n=39, 15.4%), and had greater than high school education (n=1636, 72.5% vs n=85, 28.1%). Internet or cellphone users were less likely to have cardiovascular disease history compared to nonusers (136/2262, 6.6% vs 41/302, 15.8%). The prevalence of current smoking and average BMI were similar between internet or cellphone users and nonusers. Among internet or cellphone users, 1316 (58.3%) reported use of email, 504 (22.3%) reported use of apps to track or manage health, and 1269 (56.1%) expressed interest in using JHS-developed apps. Conclusions Our findings suggest that it is feasible to use mHealth technologies to collect survey data among African Americans already enrolled in a longitudinal study. Our findings also highlight the need for more efforts to reduce the age and education divide in access and use of internet and smartphones for tracking health and research in African American communities.

Design and Feasibility Analysis of a Smartphone‐Based Digital Cognitive Assessment Study in the Framingham Heart Study

“… 37 In line with previous studies, the current study (see Table S1 ) suggests that demographic variables such as age and race may not have an impact on participation in digital studies. 24 , 36 , 38 In the Jackson Heart Study, 2564 of 4024 (≈64%) middle‐aged and older Black participants completed a survey using a digital platform and expressed further interest in participating in research studies using digital technologies to track health data. 38 …”

“… 24 , 36 , 38 In the Jackson Heart Study, 2564 of 4024 (≈64%) middle‐aged and older Black participants completed a survey using a digital platform and expressed further interest in participating in research studies using digital technologies to track health data. 38 …”

Integration of a Smartphone HF-Dedicated App in the Remote Monitoring of Heart Failure Patients with Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices: Patient Access, Acceptance, and Adherence to Use

“…The survey was designed by two physicians leading the project and reviewed by the physicians or coordinators from participating sites. Compared with other published surveys [15,17,18], the number of questions was reduced to a one-page survey with the intent of increasing the completion of all sections. Only questions most strictly related to the project aims were included in the survey.…”

“…Internet-based apps are more commonly used by young people [13,17,18]. Health apps are less used compared to the other apps (in the US, about 35% of adults with a smartphone/tablet [26] and 48% of those with a cardiovascular disease or risk factors [16] use a health app), but the adoption is rapidly increasing, despite a lack of clear legislation regulating the use [27].…”