Smart Devices and Better Health: Positive Associations Between Smart Devices and Health Among Older Adults

IntroductionSmart devices hold significant value for enhancing the health of older adults by promoting healthcare utilization and supporting chronic disease prevention.MethodsThis study investigates the relationship between smart device usage and health status among older adults, along with the underlying mechanisms, using panel data from the 2018 and 2020 waves of the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS). The baseline analysis employs a Two-Way Fixed Effects model to estimate the relationship between smart device usage and multiple health indicators. To ensure robustness, we further conduct instrumental variable estimation and exclude specific interfering samples. Additionally, heterogeneity across demographic subgroups is examined using interaction-term-based split-sample regression.ResultsUse of smart wristbands is associated with better self-rated health (SRH), lower depression scores, and higher social adaptation. Smart assistants and audiobooks are also associated with better social adaptation. Overall, smart devices enhance health by increasing healthcare utilization, encouraging social participation, strengthening social support, and facilitating early diagnosis of chronic diseases. These effects vary notably across gender, marital status, residence, age, and education level. Moreover, smart device use is linked to a pronounced reduction in medical expenditures.ConclusionThe findings reveal a positive association between smart device use and health outcomes among older adults, indicating the important role of smart devices in supporting health management and alleviating medical burdens among older adults. This study provides empirical evidence for promoting digital health interventions and suggests that policy efforts should consider demographic differences to enhance the equitable adoption of smart technologies.