Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the demand and use of healthcare resources, prompting the search for efficient solutions under budgetary constraints. In this context, the increasing use of artificial intelligence and telemedicine has emerged as a key strategy to optimize healthcare delivery and resources. Consequently, chatbots have emerged as innovative tools in various healthcare fields, such as mental health and patient monitoring, offering therapeutic conversations and early interventions. This systematic review aims to explore the current state of chatbots in the healthcare sector, meticulously evaluating their effectiveness, practical applications, and potential benefits. Methods: This systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, utilizing three databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, to identify relevant studies on the use and cost of chatbots in health over the past 5 years. Results: Several articles were identified through the database search ( n = 31). The chatbot interventions were categorized by similar types. The reviewed articles highlight the diverse applications of chatbot interventions in healthcare, including mental health support, medical information, appointment management, health education, lifestyle changes, and COVID-19 management, demonstrating significant potential across these areas. Conclusion: Furthermore, there are challenges regarding the implementation of chatbots, compatibility with other systems, and ethical considerations that may arise in different healthcare settings. Addressing these issues will be essential to maximize the benefits of chatbots, mitigate risks, and ensure equitable access to these health innovations.

In current times, we coexist with technology, using it every day. However, in older people, the use and employability of technology on a day-to-day basis is often more complicated or even null due to a lack of knowledge. Background/Objectives: The youngest generation were born surrounded by technology, which has given them superior capabilities when it comes to handling technology compared to elderly people. In short, older people have grown up without technology and only later in life have they crossed paths with it. Therefore, these circumstances can produce what is known as a “digital divide”, an unequal distribution in the access, use, or impact of information and communication technologies among social groups. Thus, the aim of this study is to examine whether there is a digital divide among European older adults and to show its effect on the mental health of individuals. In this way, we analyze how technological characteristics (digital divide) cause worsen mental health. Additionally, we examine whether, over time, the digital divide has had a greater impact on the mental health of older adults. Methods: For this purpose, recently published data from the Survey on Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe are used. Results: Our analysis has revealed that the digital divide, driven by age, negatively affects the mental health of older adults in Europe. Thus, we have analyzed how technological characteristics related to the digital divide lead to poorer mental health among this population. Additionally, we have examined whether the digital divide has increasingly impacted older adults’ mental health over time. Conclusions: These findings highlight the need to address the digital divide as a public health issue, promoting greater digital inclusion to improve the psychological well-being of older adults.

FUNDAMENTOS // La prevalencia de exceso de peso en población infantil española es del 36,1%, pero la diferencia entre quienes pertenecen a familias de renta baja y alta es del 16%, por lo que reducirla es una prioridad. El objetivo de la acción conjunta Health4EUKids es la implementación de buenas prácticas de promoción de la salud y prevención de la obesidad. El objetivo de este trabajo fue replicar y contextualizar una buena práctica basada en intervenciones en el entorno donde se vive que contribuya a reducir la obesidad infantil en población vulnerable en seis comunidades autónomas. MÉTODOS // Se adaptó la metodología original de investigación al contexto real de la práctica y posibilidades del proyecto. Se identificaron determinantes del entorno obesogénico y se utilizaron, a través de una herramienta participativa, para sistematizar las conversaciones con diferentes grupos sociales de los barrios. Se constituyeron el grupo motor y la red de salud, se realizaron análisis de situación, se priorizaron acciones y se realizaron los mapas de activos. Con toda esta información el grupo motor diseñó un conjunto de acciones. RESULTADOS // La guía se organizó en seis pasos y se armonizó la metodología en los ocho pilotos. La participación comunitaria y las herramientas participativas fueron fundamentales para la contextualización a las características locales. Se llevaron a cabo doce estructurales, diecinueve de Participación y Capacitación Comunitaria y catorce programáticas. CONCLUSIONES // Con este proyecto se visibiliza y consigue, en varios contextos locales, implicar a la población para contribuir a mejorar la alimentación y la actividad física a través del conocimiento, las habilidades, la práctica y la optimización de los entornos donde se vive.