JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Citizen Science is a community-based participatory research approach with an emphasis on addressing health disparities that is increasingly advocated by community, researchers and research funders. Digitally-enabled methods can extend the potential of Citizen Science by enabling citizens to engage in real-time research processes such as data collection, information sharing, interpreting, acting on data, and informing decision-making. However, the power of any Citizen Science lies in the equal opportunity for citizens to engage in the research process, key to promoting health equity. Without appropriate attention to recognising and addressing equity in Digitally-enabled Citizen Science, this approach in particular may extenuate rather than ameliorate health inequalities. In this viewpoint, we outline the practice of Citizen Science in the context of digital health - how it is operationalised, key advocated principles, and challenges. We discuss Citizen Science in relation to health equity and implementation science. We also operationalise Digitally-enabled Citizen Science and emphasise the importance of integrating health equity principles, frameworks, and health equity implementation determinants, and digital determinants of health. We demonstrate how equity could be achieved by providing a working example in the context of improving social, physical, and mental wellbeing among people with disability and carers.