Digital Technology Access and Health-Related Internet Use Among People Experiencing Homelessness in Hungary:...

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Public Health
• Health Informatics

Background:

• Digital technology use is increasing for personal health and well-being.
• Vulnerable populations, including the homeless, may benefit from improved health service access via digital tools.
• Limited research exists on technology and health among the homeless in Central and Eastern Europe.

Purpose of the Study:

• Assess technological resources and internet use for health among the homeless in Budapest, Hungary.
• Identify potential health policy interventions to improve healthcare access through digital health strengthening.
• Establish a baseline for digital health integration within existing healthcare systems for the homeless population.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted with 662 homeless individuals across 28 institutions in Budapest.
• Data collected on digital tool access and internet use patterns, compared with a reference population sample.
• Statistical analyses (Chi-square, logistic regression) identified factors influencing health-related internet use.

Main Results:

• 52.9% of homeless respondents frequently used the internet, compared to 81.3% in the reference group.
• Mobile phone ownership was reported by 69.6%, with 39.9% owning smartphones.
• 19.5% of the homeless population were identified as digitally engaged and likely to benefit from digital health solutions.
• Younger age, female gender, higher education, and absence of chronic conditions were associated with higher health-related internet use.

Conclusions:

• Digital health ecosystem involvement for homeless populations is viable, provided access barriers are reduced.
• Digital health services can support homeless individuals' social integration and disease prevention efforts.
• Community shelters can leverage digital health tools to improve health outcomes for the homeless.