Social-Cultural Factors in the Design of Technology for Hispanic People with Stroke

TL;DR

This paper emphasizes the importance of incorporating social-cultural factors into stroke technology design to address disparities faced by Hispanic and Latinx communities, proposing culturally tailored interventions to improve outcomes.

Contribution

It highlights the need for culturally appropriate stroke technology for Hispanic and Latinx populations and offers design considerations based on successful interventions.

Findings

Culturally tailored interventions improve engagement and outcomes.

Community consultation enhances technology relevance.

Design considerations can reduce disparities in stroke recovery.

Abstract

Stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States. There exist disparities in both stroke prevalence and outcomes between people with stroke in Hispanic and Latinx communities and the general stroke population. Current stroke technology - which aims to improve quality of life and bring people with stroke to the most functional, independent state possible - has shown promising results for the general stroke population, but has failed to close the recovery outcome gap for underserved Hispanic and Latinx people with stroke. Previous work in health education, digital health, and HRI has improved human health outcomes by incorporating social-cultural factors, though not for stroke. In this position paper, we aim to justify accounting for unique cultural factors in stroke technology design for the Hispanic and Latinx community. We review examples of successful culturally appropriate interventions and suggest design considerations (mutually beneficial community consultation, accommodating for barriers beforehand, building on culture, and incorporating education of the family) to provide more culturally appropriate design of Hispanic and Latinx stroke technology and reduce the disparity gap.