COM Research Seminar: Navigating Inequalities in the Era of Health Innovations by Prof Edmund W. J. LEE

25 Nov 2024 (Mon)

On November 25, 2024, Associate Professor Edmund W. J. Lee from the Department of Media and Communication at City University of Hong Kong delivered a compelling seminar titled "Navigating Inequalities in the Era of Health Innovations." Prof. Lee, a tenured professor and former Assistant Director at the Centre for Information Integrity and the Internet (IN-cube) at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, has an extensive background in public health communication science. His research primarily focuses on leveraging health technologies to address health disparities and the ethical use of digital data for public health outcomes.

In his seminar, Prof. Lee discussed the significant investments in health-tech ecosystems by governments and the private sector. He highlighted the role of AI in advancing mobile health apps, wearable devices, AI-driven diagnostic tools, telemedicine platforms, and personalized medicine. These technologies promise to revolutionize healthcare by enhancing efficiency, accessibility, and personalization. However, Prof. Lee pointed out critical challenges such as disparities in technology access, digital literacy, and socioeconomic status that could worsen health inequalities. He explored two emerging concepts: data absenteeism and technology chauvinism, which respectively refer to the underrepresentation of data from underserved populations and the overreliance on technology as a panacea. The seminar attracted around 15 PhD students and faculty members who engaged actively and contributed to a thought-provoking discussion.