Down the Digital Delta: Health Information Inequities Among Rural Mississippi Caregivers

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Health Equity
• Rural Health

Background:

• Digital health delivery systems necessitate equitable access and engagement, especially for rural caregivers of older adults.
• Persistent structural inequities in states like Mississippi highlight disparities in digital health engagement.
• Theories of Digital Divide and Planned Behavior provide frameworks for understanding health information-seeking behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine how education levels and geographic rurality influence health information-seeking among caregivers in Mississippi.
• To investigate the interplay between rurality, education, and attitudes toward various health information sources.
• To identify challenges faced by caregivers in obtaining health guidance through digital and traditional channels.

Main Methods:

• A statewide survey of 452 caregivers in Mississippi supporting adults aged 50+ was conducted.
• Data collected included rurality level, educational attainment, attitudes toward health information sources, perceived digital accessibility, and reported challenges.
• Statistical analyses were employed to assess the influence of rurality and education on health information-seeking behaviors.

Main Results:

• Rural caregivers reported high trust in both internet and interpersonal health information sources.
• Rurality did not significantly predict internet use or difficulty in finding health information.
• A significant "Outcome Divide" was observed: higher education correlated with positive online attitudes in urban areas, but this effect weakened or reversed in highly rural contexts.

Conclusions:

• Improving digital health equity requires strategies beyond mere access, focusing on contextual barriers like digital health literacy and relevance.
• Interventions should integrate trusted local networks and adapt educational initiatives to rural contexts.
• Addressing digital health literacy and relevance is crucial for effective digital health engagement among rural caregivers.