Health technology has made enormous strides in recent years, but not always in the places it’s needed most. For many at-risk populations, access to consistent, personalized health support remains out of reach. These gaps persist not because the tools don’t exist, but because they often aren’t designed with equity in mind. Joe Kiani, founder of Masimo and Willow Laboratories, is one of the leaders working to close that gap. His work centers on the belief that reducing the risk of illness shouldn’t depend on privilege. It should be embedded in the everyday lives of people who need it most.

To reach those historically underserved by the healthcare system, health tech must be reimagined from the ground up. That starts with listening, continues with design, and ends with tools that feel more like quiet allies than digital checklists.

Going Beyond the Ideal User

Many platforms are built for what could be described as the “default user”, someone with free time, internet access, a smartphone, and a flexible schedule. While these tools may perform well in controlled environments or among early adopters, they often miss the mark in communities where chronic conditions are most concentrated.

Designing for underserved populations requires different assumptions. It means understanding that not everyone has consistent access to healthy food, safe spaces to exercise, or predictable work hours. It also means recognizing cultural nuances, digital literacy differences, and the invisible pressures that shape health behaviors. Platforms that succeed in these environments are not just accessible, but they’re adaptable.

Simplicity Is Not a Shortcut, It’s a Strategy

One of the most effective ways to reach at-risk populations is to reduce complexity. That doesn’t mean stripping out features. It means building systems that don’t overwhelm the user with data or demand constant input. Effective platforms rely on passive data where possible, deliver short, actionable prompts, and offer visual cues that transcend language. Guidance offered in manageable, timely ways is easier to absorb and act on.

Joe Kiani, Masimo founder, says, “I’ve seen so many people start on medication, start on fad diets… and people generally don’t stick with those because it’s not their habits.” That insight is particularly valuable in at-risk communities, where trust in the healthcare system may be low and consistency may be hard-won.

Meeting People Where They Are, Literally

Designing for equity means designing for real life. That includes taking into account geography, infrastructure, and lived experience. A working parent juggling multiple jobs might not have time for in-person classes or regular coaching sessions. A resident in a food desert may not be able to follow a standard nutrition plan. A shift worker may sleep during the day and eat at irregular hours.

Good health platforms don’t fight these realities; they work within them. That might mean adjusting the timing of suggestions, offering alternatives when certain foods aren’t accessible, or shifting focus from perfection to progress. When people see themselves reflected in their health tools, not an idealized version of health, they’re more likely to engage. When engagement is easier, outcomes improve.

Language, Trust, and Cultural Sensitivity

Many health apps are built with a single audience in mind. That leaves others navigating unfamiliar interfaces, confusing terminology, and tone-deaf content. To serve diverse populations, platforms must be multilingual, culturally responsive, and rooted in empathy, not just instruction.

Trust is another critical element. In communities that have experienced medical discrimination or neglect, a platform can’t just offer good advice. It must offer reassurance. It must demonstrate that it’s not just collecting data, but giving something valuable in return.

Designing for Limited Connectivity

In underserved areas, digital access is not guaranteed. Reliable Wi-Fi, data plans, or even electricity can be inconsistent. Platforms that depend on constant connection may leave behind exactly the people they’re meant to serve.

That is why scalable, sustainable health tech must include features that work offline. It may also mean developing SMS-based reminders, community integration tools, or low-bandwidth versions of core functionality. These aren’t just technical considerations; they’re design choices that carry real consequences. Reaching more people means building platforms that stay useful even when the signal drops.

Quietly Supporting, Not Demanding

For people balancing financial pressures, family responsibilities, and health concerns, the last thing they need is a tool that adds more stress. Effective health technology supports users quietly, blending into daily life rather than interrupting it. Subtle cues offered at the right moment can reinforce healthier choices without requiring constant effort. When guidance feels like a natural extension of everyday routines, it becomes easier to follow and easier to sustain.

The most successful platforms also avoid judgment. Instead of setting unrealistic goals or issuing constant alerts, they focus on building confidence through achievable steps. Each small success lays the foundation for the next, and over time these gains accumulate into real change. By prioritizing encouragement over pressure, health tools help people see progress as a journey, not a test. In communities where trust and consistency are often fragile, that approach creates a sense of stability that makes long-term engagement possible.

Partnerships That Extend Reach

Health tech doesn’t operate in a vacuum. The most successful initiatives combine digital platforms with on-the-ground partnerships, community centers, health workers, local nonprofits, and public agencies. These partners can provide context, amplify trust, and help users get started.

Digital health tools that integrate into community programs are more likely to scale in underserved regions. They’re also more likely to sustain usage when paired with human support, whether through group sessions, peer networks, or simple check-ins. Technology is powerful, but in many communities, relationships are still the strongest driver of behavior change.

Designing for Impact, Not Just Innovation

It’s easy to get caught up in what’s new. But when serving at-risk populations, the question isn’t “What’s innovative?” It’s “What works?” It’s not about being first, but it’s about being useful. That often means building for the long haul, not just the download. It means optimizing for engagement over time, not just initial interest. It means asking tough questions about who is included in the design process and who is left out.

Equity by Design

Reaching the underserved with health technology doesn’t require a different mission, but it requires a different mindset. It means designing with humility, testing with real users, and prioritizing inclusion at every step. When tools to reduce the risk of illness are designed with equity at their core, they stop being apps and start becoming infrastructure. Health equity isn’t a feature, but it’s the foundation.