Socioeconomic impacts on e-learning accessibility and health literacy in underserved communities: A meta-synthesis

Introduction: Socioeconomic disparities continue to hinder full access to e-learning and digital health resources, making both educational and health equity elusive. This study addresses the research question: How do socioeconomic factors influence the accessibility and effectiveness of e-learning and consequently health literacy in underserved communities? Methods: A systematic meta-synthesis of qualitative studies was conducted following the process by Noblit and Hare. Studies focusing on health inequalities without a connection to educational access or e-learning were excluded to maintain coherence with the research aim. Results: The interpretation of the findings resulted in five themes: (1) digital divide, (2) technological and language barriers, (3) inadequate infrastructure, (4) economic constraints, (5) cultural and contextual adaptations. Conclusion: The digital divide, along with technological proficiency and language barriers, exacerbates educational disparities by limiting access to technology and supportive resources, particularly for non-English speaking populations. The findings underscore the need for a more holistic examination of accessibility beyond educational outcomes, incorporating health literacy dimensions as well.