Assessing the Ability to Use eHealth Resources Among Older Adults: Cross-Sectional Survey Study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Health Informatics
• Public Health

Background:

• Growing reliance on digital health tools creates disparities for older adults.
• Understanding factors influencing eHealth use is key to equitable healthcare access.

Purpose of the Study:

• Assess digital health literacy in patients aged 65 and older.
• Identify factors associated with accessing, understanding, and using digital health resources.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional, mixed-mode survey of 878 patients aged ≥65 years.
• Utilized the eHeals health literacy scale and Area Deprivation Index (ADI).
• Analyzed digital health literacy across self-rated health, mobility, and socioeconomic status.

Main Results:

• Lower self-rated health correlated with significantly lower digital health literacy (e.g., messaging doctors).
• Mobility restrictions were associated with reduced knowledge of online health resources and telehealth capabilities.
• Increased socioeconomic deprivation (higher ADI) linked to lower digital health literacy, including finding resources and electronic messaging.

Conclusions:

• Targeted interventions are needed to enhance eHealth engagement among older adults facing health, mobility, or socioeconomic barriers.
• Improving digital health literacy can reduce disparities and improve health outcomes for this population.