Bridging digital divides: A quantitative assessment of equity, access, and determinants of AI adoption for women’s reproductive cancer care in China

Abstract

A study in China using data from the National Health Services Survey and the Cancer Registry examined factors influencing women's access to AI-assisted breast and cervical cancer screening. Analysis of data from 10,250 women aged 18-65 revealed that urban residence, higher education and income levels, and digital literacy significantly increased the likelihood of access to such screenings. Hospitals equipped with AI systems demonstrated substantially higher early detection rates. However, major barriers included distance to AI-enabled facilities and residence in western provinces. The study concludes that while AI improves diagnostic accuracy, access remains stratified along socioeconomic and geographic lines, necessitating digital infrastructure investments and equity-centered AI governance to ensure that all women benefit. (Afr J Reprod Health 2025; 29 [12s]: 86-92).