Bridging the information gap: collaborative technology design with low-income at-risk families to engender healthy behaviors

The leading cause of death in the United States is cardiovascular disease. Formative studies have shown that technological interventions may help effect lifestyle changes, however there has been minimal research to ascertain appropriate interventions for at risk, low-income populations. We conducted two participatory-based design workshops with nine caregivers and thirteen children to help determine suitable interventions for an at-risk low socioeconomic population. The major themes that emerged from the workshop for caregivers were their need for assistive systems that would help with everything from parenting to budgeting time and resources. Researchers in human computer interaction would benefit from our findings by developing a holistic sense of barriers encountered by low-income families to improve their health. We conclude the paper with a discussion of design implications.