WILL THE DISADVANTAGED RIDE THE INFORMATION HIGHWAY - HOPEFUL ANSWERSFROM A COMPUTER-BASED HEALTH CRISIS SYSTEM

While much research on new communication technologies has warned that disadvantaged groups will make less use of empowering information, doi ng anything about it will require distinguishing between explanations. Lack of access is largely an economic and policy issue, while explana tions based on lack of skills, motivation or information-oriented medi a habits locate much of the problem with individuals. The research rep orted here provided access to a technology-based system, and indicates that the other barriers can be overcome. An interactive computer syst em (CHESS - Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System) was place d in homes of HIV-infected people, and use, was monitored by the compu ter While the system was used heavily over several months, differences between demographic subgroups were small, and in most cases the syste m was used more by groups ordinarily expected to use these technologie s less. Thus, while economic barriers to access certainly exist, a cas e for subsidizing access to overcome those barriers can be made.