Leveraging Mobile Health to Prevent Coronary Artery Disease Through Physical Activity Promotion Among Underserved Youth

Authors

• Alina Yang, Scarsdale High SchoolFollow
• Jessh M. Mavoungou, University of TennesseeFollow
• Matthew C. Miller, University of TennesseeFollow
• Zarmina Amin, University of TennesseeFollow
• Zan Gao, University of TennesseeFollow

Document Type

Article

Keywords

health disparities, digital health equity, cardiovascular health, community-based interventions, technology-enabled health

Publication Date

5-12-2026

Abstract

Coronary artery disease (CAD) develops earlier than often recognized, with underserved youth facing disproportionate cardiometabolic risk. Low participation in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (PA) is a key driver. This viewpoint explores how mobile health (mHealth) technologies can serve as tools to increase PA engagement among underserved youth, guided by a combined Self-Determination Theory and RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance) framework. It highlights current barriers to mHealth adoption, limited cultural relevance, engagement challenges, and accessibility gaps, and presents key considerations for designing culturally informed, age-tailored, and youth-centered mHealth interventions. Overall, the paper calls for a more inclusive and targeted approach to leveraging mHealth technology for cardiovascular health promotion.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18122/ijpah.5.2.6.boisestate

Recommended Citation

Yang, Alina; Mavoungou, Jessh M.; Miller, Matthew C.; Amin, Zarmina; and Gao, Zan (2026) "Leveraging Mobile Health to Prevent Coronary Artery Disease Through Physical Activity Promotion Among Underserved Youth," International Journal of Physical Activity and Health: Vol. 5: Iss. 2, Article 6.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18122/ijpah.5.2.6.boisestate
Available at: https://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/ijpah/vol5/iss2/6