Digital Health Literacy and Artificial Intelligence-Based Health Promotion Interventions in Primary Health Care: A Scoping Review
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Abstract
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into Primary Health Care (PHC) represents a significant shift in health promotion, yet its success is contingent upon the Digital Health Literacy (DHL) of users. This scoping review aimed to map the landscape of AI-based interventions in PHC and evaluate the role of DHL in their implementation. Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore for studies published between 2010 and 2025. A total of 39 studies were included. Results identified four key themes: AI-enhanced diagnostic screening, conversational agents for behavior change, personalized chronic disease management, and DHL educational interventions. While AI interventions showed positive clinical outcomes, such as improved cardiovascular detection (OR 1.32) and weight loss (-2.4 kg), low DHL remained a critical barrier to equitable access, particularly among elderly and migrant populations. Risk of bias assessment revealed high quality in clinical trials but variability in behavioral studies. The study concluded that while AI has transformative potential, future strategies must integrate targeted DHL training and user-centered design to ensure health equity and prevent digital exclusion in primary care settings.
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