Dr. Adrian Aguilera has revolutionized how underserved populations access mental health care through innovative mobile technology. As a professor at UC Berkeley’s School of Social Welfare and UCSF’s Department of Psychiatry, Aguilera directs the Digital Health Equity and Access Lab, focusing specifically on low-income and Latinx communities who face significant barriers to traditional mental health services.
Aguilera’s flagship intervention, MoodText, uses automated text messaging to support patients receiving cognitive behavioral therapy for depression. The approach addresses critical disparities: Latinx communities face lower treatment access due to insurance gaps, language barriers, multiple-job schedules, and cultural stigma around mental health. MoodText sends therapeutic reminders and mood tracking prompts between therapy sessions, keeping patients engaged with their treatment. Research shows the program doubled therapy session attendance—a crucial achievement given high dropout rates in depression treatment.
Beyond MoodText, Aguilera has developed HealthySMS, a platform delivering various text-based health interventions, and led the DIAMANTE study using machine learning to personalize physical activity messages for people managing both diabetes and depression. During COVID-19, he created StayWell at Home, a texting intervention to combat pandemic-related stress and anxiety.
Aguilera’s work demonstrates that digital health tools, when designed with marginalized communities in mind rather than as afterthoughts, can genuinely reduce health inequities. His research emphasizes meeting people where they are—using simple text messages accessible on any phone rather than requiring smartphones, apps, or unlimited data plans.
LEARN MORE:
UC Berkeley Faculty Profile:
https://socialwelfare.berkeley.edu/people/adrian-aguilera
Everlywell Interview on Latinx Mental Health Disparities:
https://www.everlywell.com/blog/thought-leadership/hispanic-heritage-month-latinx-mental-health-care/
Berkeley Conversations Video on Digital Health Equity During COVID-19:
https://news.berkeley.edu/2020/05/18/berkeley-conversations-covid-19-digital-and-telehealth-implications-of-covid-19-and-social-distancing/
