Dr. Kufre Okop 

People over 60 are unlikely to use the internet, smartphones apps, or online and digital services. This set of the elderly are considered “digitally excluded”. Research conducted around the world has shown that the digitally excluded elderly have poor health, incur high cost of care, and are highly dependent on relatives for care. In Germany alone, about two in every three people over 60 are estimated to be digitally excluded.

The WHO Europe strongly argues that digital services foster health care for people of all ages. This study will investigate i) the existing interventions developed and implemented with the participation of citizens, and ii) engage elderly persons and relevant stakeholders in different quarters of Bremen (e.g. Gröpelingen) in learning, prioritizing, and providing information on preferred and appropriate digital health initiatives needed by elderly persons.

The results will help researchers, community members, and stakeholders to jointly develop a protocol for implementing a citizen-engaged program to bring digital health literacy and support to the elderly. This project is timely and corresponds with research at the HWK and Universität Bremen focusing on digitalization in medicine and public health interventions. The 10-month fellowship will be an excellent opportunity to network, learn, and collaborate with a team of seasoned researchers and experts.