ARTICLE
21 October 2026

Research on the Impact Mechanism and Collaborative Governance of Digital Health Equity

Zhangzhang Zhao1*
Show Less
1 School of Medical Humanities and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
ssr 2026 , 8(9), 228–244; https://doi.org/10.26689/ssr.v8i9.15771
© 2026 by the Author. Licensee: Bio-Byword Scientific Publishing Pty Ltd, Australia. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )
Abstract

In the digital age, promoting the modernization of health and wellness and fostering common prosperity in the health sector inevitably involves confronting the issue of health equity. Equity in the health sector is generally divided into health equity, equity in the use of health services, and equity in health financing. To further explore the realization mechanism and policy path of digital health equity, this report investigates the impact mechanisms on the realization of digital health equity. Based on the TOE framework, this report uses 27 provincial governments in China as case studies and employs the fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) method to explore the linkage effect of technology, organization, and environmental conditions on digital health equity. The study found that: (1) A single condition does not constitute a necessary condition for digital health equity, but improving the level of technology and environment plays a more universal role in achieving digital health equity. (2) Technology, organization, and environmental conditions “concurrently” form a diverse configuration that drives and promotes digital health equity; that is, the realization path of digital health equity has the characteristic of “different paths leading to the same destination.” (3) The generation path of digital health equity can be summarized into five types: technology-oriented, environment-oriented, technology-assisted, technology-environmental, and organizational-environmental.

Keywords
Digital health
Health equity
Digital technology
References

[1] Yan S, Li HX, Chen PX, et al., 2024, Evidence Study on World Health Organization’s Digital Health Governance Decision-Making. China Medical Equipment, 39(10): 23–27 + 33.

[2] Zhong W, Long H, 2024, “Digital Health”—A Brief Discussion on the Development of Human Settlement Health Design Driven by Data. Journal of Western Human Settlements, 39(4): 38–45.

[3] Su YJ, Xu HB, 2022, The Basic Connotation and Practical Value of the Concept of Health Equity in the New Era. Guizhou Social Sciences, 2022(6): 96–102.

[4] Bailey ZD, Krieger N, Agénor M, et al., 2017, Structural Racism and Health Inequities in the USA: Evidence and Interventions. The Lancet, 389(10077): 1453–1463.

[5] Dong JK, Qian H, Xing YQ et al., 2024, Digital Health Equity: Theoretical Perspective and Influencing Factors. Health Economics Research, 41(2): 5–9.

[6] Sun N, Du Y, Chen KW, 2024, Principles and design of mixed-method research: a case study of the combination of QCA and multiple case studies. Nankai Management Review, 27(9): 1–16.

[7] Wang YQ, Wang YL, Yao T, et al., 2024, Research on the Optimization Path of Influence of Top Global National Security Think Tanks — Qualitative Comparative Analysis Based on Configuration Perspective. Think Tank Theory and Practice, 9(4): 53–65.

[8] Gao JM, Yang JJ, 2014, An Overview of Health Equity. Health Economics Research, 2014(10): 51–54.

[9] Yang HY, 2007, A Study on Health Equity Among Urban and Rural Residents in China. Finance and Economics Science, 2007(3): 69–75.

[10] Jiang YC, Zhang YQ, Zhang Q, et al., 2024, Research Progress on the Application of Digital Health Technology in Alleviating Negative Emotions in Women during the Perinatal Period. Nursing Research, 38(17): 3087–3093.

[11] Zhang YX, Tan SY, 2024, Promoting High-quality Population Development with Digital Technology: A Cross-national Empirical Study Based on Health Human Capital. Learning and Exploration, 2024(1): 110–122 + 176.

[12] Zhang WG, Lu WY, 2023, Digital Empowerment of Sports and Medical Integration Governance: Practical Value, Practical Dilemmas and Promotion Strategies. Journal of Shenyang University of Physical Education, 42(4): 54–61.

[13] China Internet Network Information Center, 2024, China Internet Network Information Center released the 53rd Statistical Report on Internet Development in China. Journal of National Library of China, 33(2): 104.

[14] Ma JL, Song JY, Gao CS, 2023, The Impact of Internet Use on Health Inequality among the Elderly: “Digital Divide” or “Digital Dividend”? — Based on the Moderating Role of Human Capital and Social Capital. Lanzhou Journal, 2023(11): 130–146.

[15] Cui A, 2024, The Silver Digital Divide: The Challenges of Internet Technology to the Physical and Mental Health of the Elderly. E-commerce Review, 13(2): 3367–3380.

[16] Ren XY, Zhou YH, 2024, Factors Contributing to, Impacting and Addressing the Digital Divide in China. Economic Issues, 2024(9): 50–58.

[17] Chen YT, Jiang CY, Song CW, 2025, Research on the Influencing Factors of Enterprise Digital Capabilities — ISM-MICMAC Analysis Based on TOE Framework. Science and Technology Progress and Countermeasures, 42(5): 118–127.

[18] Xie XQ, Ren SH, 2024, Configuration Study and Regional Comparison of Digital Village Pilot Construction Path under TOE Framework — Qualitative Comparative Analysis Based on 76 Digital Village Pilot Projects in China. E-Government, 2024(1): 63–77.

[19] Li F, Xi SJ, Xiong Z, 2024, Information Technology Curriculum Standards for Digital Literacy and Skills and their Teaching Implementation. China Distance Education, 44(11): 52–59 + 96.

[20] Yao YB, Cao JD, Feng FZ, et al., 2024, Meta-analysis of Factors Influencing Digital Health Literacy among domestic and Foreign Residents. Medicine and Society, 37(11): 122–129.

[21] Tang LQ, Wang WJ, 2023, The Impact of Digital Logistics on the Consumption Upgrading of Rural Residents. Journal of South China Agricultural University (Social Sciences Edition), 22(6): 63–73.

[22] Chen SC, Meng QG, 2016, An Exploration of the Mechanism of Leaders’ Attention Shifts—Based on a Study of 2614 Instructions in Mao Zedong’s Chronology. Public Administration Review, 9(3): 148–176 + 89–90.

[23] Tan HB, Fan ZT, Du YZ, 2019, Technical Management Capability, Attention Allocation and Local Government Website Construction: A Configuration Analysis Based on the TOE Framework. Management World, 35(9): 81–94.

[24] Xue Z, Hao XN, Liu XY, 2023, A Study on the Impact of Fiscal Input on the Supply Level of Medical and Health Services: Based on the Dual Adjustment Effect of Fiscal Operating Efficiency and Income Inequality. China Health Economics, 42(7): 1–5.

[25] MA L, 2012, Diffusion and Assimilation of Government Microblogging: Evidence from Chinese Cities. Public Management Review, 6(2): 274–295.

[26] Lu XX, Duan YR, 2024, Has the Digital Economy Enhanced the Resilience of Urban Economies? Modern Economic Research, 2024(4): 76–92.

[27] Xing WM, Yin D, Liu JD, et al., 2024, Application of QCA Method in Information Resource Management: Current Status, Scenarios and Value. Digital Library Forum, 20(7): 1–10.

[28] He Y, 2023, Theoretical Logic and Practical Path of Digital Transformation Promoting High-Quality Development of SMEs. Seeking Truth, 2023(6): 53–62.

[29] Chen GS, Wu HQ, 2024, How can New Digital Productivity Promote Common Prosperity? An Explanation Based on Digital Empowerment and Digital Equality. Journal of Chongqing University (Social Sciences Edition), 30(04): 131–143.

[30] Jiang JH, Liu R, Wang FW, 2022, How the Configuration Effect of the Value Driver of Internet Healthcare Business Model Promotes Value Creation. Nankai Management Review, 25(3): 95–106.

Share
Back to top