[Individual's eHealth literacy: an update]

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Health Informatics
• Public Health

Background:

• The increasing reliance on digital health services, amplified by global health crises, underscores the importance of eHealth literacy (eHL).
• eHL involves the ability to find, understand, evaluate, and use online health information effectively to address health concerns.
• Understanding eHL is vital for navigating digital health resources and addressing the digital divide in health information access.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review definitions and assessment tools for eHealth literacy.
• To analyze the role of eHL during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To investigate the impact of gender, age, and social inequalities on eHL.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of eHL definitions and measurement tools.
• Analysis of studies focusing on eHL during the COVID-19 outbreak.
• Examination of research on eHL disparities related to demographic and social factors.

Main Results:

• Various definitions and tools exist for measuring eHL.
• eHL plays a significant role in how individuals access and utilize health information during pandemics like COVID-19.
• Gender, age, and socioeconomic status are associated with disparities in eHL.

Conclusions:

• eHealth literacy is a critical determinant of effective engagement with digital health services.
• Addressing the digital divide in eHL is essential for equitable health information access.
• Further research is needed to develop targeted interventions to improve eHL across diverse populations.