Capítulo de livro
Researching health and fitness apps to readdress the gender gap
Rita Sepúlveda (Sepúlveda, R.); Cláudia Álvares (Álvares, C.);
Título Livro
Critical literacies and gender studies: Navigating media, education, and civic engagement for social justice
Ano (publicação definitiva)
2025
Língua
Inglês
País
Reino Unido
Mais Informação
Web of Science®

Esta publicação não está indexada na Web of Science®

Scopus

N.º de citações: 0

(Última verificação: 2026-04-25 20:45)

Ver o registo na Scopus

Google Scholar

N.º de citações: 0

(Última verificação: 2026-04-28 03:51)

Ver o registo no Google Scholar

Esta publicação não está indexada no Overton

Abstract/Resumo
With the gender gap remaining a preoccupation in several areas related to information technology, this chapter proposes an approach to understanding – and possibly reducing – the gender gap through the study of health and fitness mobile applications (apps). In recent years, these have grown both on the ends of supply and demand, translating in a steady increase in the number of users, the provision of innovative solutions and coverage of multiple fields to improve health. We argue that, instead of being neutral, technology has a gender bias that reflects the world of its developers, who are mostly men. This lack of neutrality derives, in part, from women's underrepresentation in the technology industry. We thus propose to reflect on ways that could lead such apps to become more gender inclusive, both in terms of design and affordances. Considering that women are also underrepresented in health studies, we propose that by understanding the data value chain and the richness of the data generated through apps, such as the ones mentioned, steps may be taken towards reducing the gender gap in care delivery, disease prediction and diagnosis.
Agradecimentos/Acknowledgements
--
Palavras-chave