Electronic Health Literacy Among Baby Boomers: A Typology

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Health Informatics
• Digital Health

Background:

• Aging populations will increase demand on healthcare systems.
• Electronic health (eHealth) resources can alleviate pressure but require patient usability.
• Older adults are often treated as a homogenous group regarding eHealth literacy, hindering tailored interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the diversity within the baby boomer cohort regarding internet use for health information.
• To identify distinct subgroups based on eHealth literacy and health behaviors within this demographic.

Main Methods:

• An electronic survey was administered to a random sample of 996 baby boomers.
• Participants were recruited from the United States, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand.
• Analysis identified distinct subgroups within the baby boomer cohort.

Main Results:

• Four distinct subgroups emerged within the baby boomer sample.
• These subgroups exhibited significant differences in eHealth literacy and health behaviors.
• No significant socioeconomic differences were found between the subgroups.

Conclusions:

• The study reveals a more nuanced understanding of eHealth literacy among baby boomers than previously assumed.
• Findings provide a foundation for developing targeted health products, services, and communication strategies for this demographic.
• Tailoring interventions based on identified subgroups can improve eHealth resource effectiveness for older adults.