Introduction 11 1 digital platforms, mobile applications, and wearable devices, eHealth interventions can potentially make health behavior more engaging and accessible, particularly when they are based on theoretical frameworks and behavior change techniques (Webb et al., 2010). While traditional interventions have been shown to improve health behavior, several studies also emphasize that eHealth interventions can improve physical activity, diet, and sedentary behavior (Schoeppe et al., 2016) and lead to smoking cessation (Taylor et al., 2017; Whittaker et al., 2016). While traditional and eHealth interventions hold substantial promise for improving health behavior in the general population, evidence suggests that their success could be more evident in low socioeconomic populations (Reiners et al., 2019; Yamin et al., 2011). 1.2 Problem statement and knowledge gaps Traditional lifestyle interventions have been largely unsuccessful in changing the behavior and improving the health of people with a low SEP (Bull et al., 2015; White et al., 2009). This can be attributed to several constraints related explicitly to low-SEP groups, such as stressful life situations (Marmot, 2005), accessibility issues (Coupe et al., 2018), inadequate social support (Moroshko et al., 2011), experienced stigma and distrust in healthcare (Armstrong et al., 2007), and low health literacy (Paasche-Orlow & Wolf, 2007). Another potential reason is that some individuals within the target group are less willing to engage in health-promoting behavior (Hardcastle et al., 2015). After all, it is worth questioning whether academics’ views on health genuinely resonate with the values, beliefs, and priorities of those we aim to help. We might be operating from a standpoint that equates health with longevity and quality of life. At the same time, some individuals in the target group might prefer living a fulfilling life, even if it means that it may be shorter or less “healthy” by our standards (Heutink et al., 2010; Wardle & Steptoe, 2003). This dissonance could lead to a lack of willingness from the target group to engage with “our” interventions. eHealth interventions possess inherent qualities that could mitigate some barriers regarding lifestyle interventions for low-SEP groups. eHealth platforms are often customizable, allowing for adaptations that better suit the problematic life situations frequently encountered by low-SEP groups. They can provide information in accessible multi-media formats, aligning with the needs of those with low (health) literacy levels (Michie et al., 2009). Moreover, the virtual nature of eHealth makes it more accessible than traditional interventions, as it can be accessed from any location with an internet connection, thereby partially bypassing accessibility issues (Hill & Powell, 2009). However, despite these advantages, current eHealth interventions seem to need to catch up to their potential in low-SEP populations. Several studies have indicated that eHealth interventions
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTk4NDMw