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Has the Digital Health Divide Widened? Trends of Health-Related Internet Use Among Older Adults From 2003 to 2011

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  • Y Alicia Hong
  • Jinmyoung Cho

Abstract

ObjectivesTo examine the trend of health-related Internet use (HRIU) among older adults.MethodsWe analyzed data from the 2003, 2005, and 2011–2012 iterations of the National Cancer Institute (NCI)-sponsored Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). HRIU was measured by 4 online behaviors: seeking health information, buying medicine, connecting with people with similar health problems, and communicating with doctors.ResultsInternet use and HRIU among older adults increased substantially from 2003 to 2011 with more significant increases in seeking health information and communicating with doctors online. Overall, the digital health divide between different demographic groups has narrowed, especially in terms of gender, racial/ethnic group, rural/urban residence, and various health statuses; however, age, education, and household income remain persistent predictors of the digital divide. Those in the oldest group (75 or older), those with less than a high school education, and those with very low income (<$25,000/year) continuously lagged behind their counterparts in all aspects of HRIU.ConclusionsDespite an overall increase in HRIU and a narrowed digital divide, significant variations in HRIU in different demographic groups persisted; therefore, we call for more senior-friendly online resources and culturally appropriate interventions to bridge the digital health divide for vulnerable older adults.

Suggested Citation

  • Y Alicia Hong & Jinmyoung Cho, 2017. "Has the Digital Health Divide Widened? Trends of Health-Related Internet Use Among Older Adults From 2003 to 2011," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 72(5), pages 856-863.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:geronb:v:72:y:2017:i:5:p:856-863.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/geronb/gbw100
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Wu, Haitao & Ba, Ning & Ren, Siyu & Xu, Lu & Chai, Jingxia & Irfan, Muhammad & Hao, Yu & Lu, Zhi-Nan, 2022. "The impact of internet development on the health of Chinese residents: Transmission mechanisms and empirical tests," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    2. Byaro, Mwoya & Rwezaula, Anicet & Ngowi, Nicholaus, 2023. "Does internet use and adoption matter for better health outcomes in sub-Saharan African countries? New evidence from panel quantile regression," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    3. Rose Calixte & Sumaiya Islam & Zainab Toteh Osakwe & Argelis Rivera & Marlene Camacho-Rivera, 2021. "Pattern of Use of Electronic Health Record (EHR) among the Chronically Ill: A Health Information National Trend Survey (HINTS) Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-13, July.
    4. Park, Hyeyoung K. & Chung, Joohyun & Ha, Jiyeon, 2023. "Acceptance of technology related to healthcare among older Korean adults in rural areas: A mixed-method study," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    5. MoonKi Choi, 2020. "Association of eHealth Use, Literacy, Informational Social Support, and Health-Promoting Behaviors: Mediation of Health Self-Efficacy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-12, October.

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