scholarly journals Profiles of a Health Information–Seeking Population and the Current Digital Divide: Cross-Sectional Analysis of the 2015-2016 California Health Interview Survey (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hena Naz Din ◽  
Corinne McDaniels-Davidson ◽  
Jesse Nodora ◽  
Hala Madanat
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Digital Divide ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
California Health Interview Survey ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Internet Users ◽  
Interview Survey ◽  
Use Of The Internet

BACKGROUND Internet use for health information is important, given the rise of electronic health (eHealth) that integrates technology into health care. Despite the perceived widespread use of the internet, a persistent “digital divide” exists in which many individuals have ready access to the internet and others do not. To date, most published reports have compared characteristics of internet users seeking health information vs nonusers. However, there is little understanding of the differences between internet users seeking health information online and users who do not seek such information online. Understanding these differences could enable targeted outreach for health interventions and promotion of eHealth technologies. OBJECTIVE This study aims to assess population-level characteristics associated with different types of internet use, particularly for seeking online health information. METHODS The 2015-2016 California Health Interview Survey datasets were used for this study. Internet use was classified as never used the internet (Never use), ever used the internet but not to search for health information in the last 12 months (Use not for health), and ever used the internet and have used it to search for health information in the last 12 months (Use for health). Weighted multinomial logistic regression was used to assess sociodemographic and health characteristics associated with types of internet use. Findings are reported as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs. RESULTS Among 42,087 participants (weighted sample of 29,236,426), 19% reported Never Use of the internet, 27.9% reported Use not for health, and 53.1% reported Use for health. Compared to Never Use individuals, Use for health individuals were more likely to be younger (OR: 0.1, 95% CI 0.1-0.2 for ≥60 years vs <60 years), female (OR: 1.6, 95% CI 1.3-1.9 compared to males), and non-Hispanic white (OR: 0.54, 95% CI 0.4-0.7 for Latinos and OR: 0.2, 95% CI 0.2-0.4 for African Americans) and have a higher socioeconomic status (>400% of Federal Poverty Guidelines; OR: 1.3, 95% CI 1.4-2.4). Overall, characteristics for the Use not for health and Use for health groups were similar, except for those with lower levels of education and respondents not having visited a physician in the last year. For these two characteristics, the Use not for health group was more similar to the Never Use group. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that a digital divide characterized by sociodemographic and health information exists across three types of users. Our results are in line with those of previous studies on the divide, specifically with regard to disparities in use and access related to age, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Disparities in online health-seeking behavior may reflect existing disparities in health care access extending into a new era of health technology. These findings support the need for interventions to target internet access and health literacy among Never Use and Use not for health groups.

Older Adults’ Internet Use for Health Information: Digital Divide by Race/Ethnicity and Socioeconomic Status

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyunwoo Yoon ◽  
Yuri Jang ◽  
Phillip W. Vaughan ◽  
Michael Garcia
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Digital Divide ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Internet Technology ◽  
California Health Interview Survey ◽  
Minority Status ◽  
Race Ethnicity ◽  
Racial Ethnic

Building upon literature suggesting low Internet use among racial/ethnic minorities and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, this study examined how race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status (SES) influence the Internet use for health information, addressing both independent and interactive effects. Using data from 17,704 older adults in the California Health Interview Survey, logistic regression models were estimated with race/ethnicity (Whites, African Americans, Latinos, and Asians), SES index, and the interaction between race/ethnicity and SES index. Overall, approximately 40% of participants were Internet-users for health information. Direct effects of race/ethnicity and SES—and their interactions—were all found to be significant. Minority status combined with the lowest levels of SES substantially reduced the odds of using Internet for health information. Findings suggest the combination of racial/ethnic minority status and low SES as a source of digital divide, and provide implications for Internet technology training for the target population.

Individuals with Disabilities and Internet Use

2012 ◽  
pp. 242-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Gozza-Cohen ◽  
Deborah May
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Exploratory Research ◽  
Diverse Populations ◽  
Individuals With Disabilities ◽  
Use Of The Internet ◽  
Large Research

This entry examines the use of the internet by individuals with disabilities. Before people with disabilities can use the Internet for socializing, communicating, gathering information, learning, or working, they must first be able to access the Internet. This may require additional assistance by either people or modified hardware and software. Some authors have expressed concern that there is a digital divide, with many people with disabilities not accessing the Internet. The differing needs of people with disabilities, and how their needs may be met with technology and adaptations are explored. Examples of various uses of the Internet by people with disabilities are presented. This field does not have a large research base; it is difficult to do controlled large group studies with such diverse populations, so much of the information comes from position papers, demographic reports, case studies, or exploratory research.

Internet as a Source of Health Information and its Perceived Influence on Personal Empowerment

2011 ◽  
pp. 958-974
Author(s):  
Guy Paré ◽  
Jean-Nicolas Malek ◽  
Claude Sicotte ◽  
Marc Lemire
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Medical Information ◽  
Sample Survey ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Personal Empowerment ◽  
Participative Approach ◽  
Use Of The Internet ◽  
Search For Information

The primary aim of this study is twofold. First, the authors seek to identify the factors that influence members of the general public to conduct Internet searches for health information. Their second intent is to explore the influence such Internet use has on three types of personal empowerment. In the summer of 2007 the authors conducted a household sample survey of a population of Canadian adults. A total of 261 self-administered questionnaires were returned to the researchers. Our findings indicate that use of the Internet as a source of health information is directly related to three main factors: sex, age and the individual’s perceived ability to understand, interpret and use the medical information available online. Further, their results lend support to the notion that using the Internet to search for information about health issues represents a more consumer based and participative approach to health care. This study is one of the first to relate Internet use to various forms of personal empowerment. This area appears to have great potential as a means by which consumers can become more empowered in managing personal health issues.

Impact of Internet Use on Civic Engagement in Chinese Rural Areas

2012 ◽  
pp. 296-313
Author(s):  
Jian-Chuan Zhang ◽  
Ying Qin
Keyword(s):  
Civic Engagement ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Public Affairs ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Network Information ◽  
Internet Users ◽  
Political Impact ◽  
Preliminary Study ◽  
Use Of The Internet

Few prior studies have addressed the political impact of the Internet on civic engagement in rural areas. This preliminary study aims to explore the connection between Internet use and civic engagement of rural Internet users. Based on the surveys implemented by the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC), the authors find that using the Internet does enhance the level of civic engagement among rural Internet users in China. However, better use of the Internet faces some obstacles, too. They are the young age of rural users and the limited Net bandwidth. Implications of these obstacles are discussed. The chapter concludes that, under certain circumstances, there is great potential for Chinese rural Internet users to become more actively engaged in public affairs in the future.

scholarly journals The Association of Internet Use with Wellbeing, Mental Health and Health Behaviours of Persons with Disabilities

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (18) ◽  
pp. 3252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariusz Duplaga ◽  
Katarzyna Szulc
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Psychological Help ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Internet Users ◽  
Degree Of Disability ◽  
Use Of The Internet

Introduction: There is strong evidence that people with disabilities suffer from a significant digital divide. However, there are reports indicating that Internet use may result in many benefits for those with disabilities. The aim of the study was to assess the impact that the use of the Internet has on the wellbeing and health behaviours of persons with disabilities. Methods: An analysis was carried out using the dataset obtained from Social Diagnosis, a panel study undertaken on a nationally representative sample. The records of persons with disabilities were retrieved from the dataset which was established in 2015. An analysis of the association between Internet use and the wellbeing, mental health and health behaviours of the respondents was undertaken. The variables reflecting the self-assessment of their own life and experience of loneliness were treated as being indicators of their wellbeing and the prevalence of suicidal thoughts or making use of psychological help as indicators of mental health. The health behaviours analysed in the study included smoking, excessive consumption of alcohol and undertaking physical activity. For all these variables, multivariate logistic regression models were developed. The effect of Internet use was adjusted for sociodemographic variables and the degree of disability. An analysis was performed after applying post-stratification weights available from the Social Diagnosis study. Results: The weighted study group consisted of 2529 people having a mean age of 59.33 ± 16.89 years. The group included 20.71% (N = 524) respondents with a mild, 41.58% (N = 1052) with a moderate, and 26.54% (N = 671) with a severe disability. The proportion of Internet users was 37.07% (N = 937). In all the regression models, Internet use had a significant impact on the dependent variables. After adjustment for sociodemographic variables and the degree of disability, the Internet users more frequently assessed their lives as happy (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval: 1.86, 1.47–2.37) and less frequently experienced loneliness (0.63, 0.49–0.81) or suicidal thoughts (0.47, 0.35–0.65). In addition, they needed psychological help less frequently (0.50, 0.35–0.72). Interestingly, Internet users undertook some form of physical activity or sport more often (2.41, 1.87–3.13) and fewer smoked cigarettes (0.70, 0.54–0.91) or consumed alcohol excessively (0.32, 0.19–0.56). Conclusions: The use of the Internet by people with disabilities was associated with improved wellbeing, better mental health and more beneficial health behaviours. These findings support the development of intensive actions to reduce the digital divide for the population of people with disabilities.

scholarly journals Frequent Internet Users May Prefer More Health Care Information and Participation in Decision-Making

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eamon C. Tewell
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Health Care Information ◽  
Preference Rating ◽  
Internet Users ◽  
Care Information

Objective – To determine whether there is a significant relationship between patients’ frequency of Internet use and their health care information and decision-making preferences. Design – Cross-sectional questionnaire survey. Settings – Undergraduate classes at a large state university and senior-oriented computer classes at public libraries and senior centers. Subjects – 438 respondents, including 226 undergraduates (mean age 20) and 212 community-dwelling older adults (mean age 72). Methods – Respondents were administered the Health Information Wants Questionnaire (HIWQ), a 21-item instrument designed to measure preferences for 7 types of health information and decision-making, in group settings. Main Results – The younger age group spent significantly more time online compared to the older age group. Frequent Internet users in both populations expressed an overall preference for more information regarding diagnosis, but less information for psychosocial and health care provider concerns. Internet use was positively correlated to the overall preference rating, leading the researchers to suggest that, as a whole, regular Internet users prefer more information and independence in decision-making. Conclusions – The study concludes that Internet use frequency is associated with an overall preference for obtaining health information and participating in decision making. Internet use as related to different types of preferences is inconsistent. Age was not found to be associated with the overall preference rating, and time spent online is proposed to be a stronger indicator of respondents’ health information preferences. The authors suggest that future studies utilizing the HIWQ take a longitudinal approach in order to better track how patient preferences for information may evolve over time.

scholarly journals Does Ageism Widen the Digital Divide? And Does It Vary by Gender?

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 315-315
Author(s):  
Eun Young Choi ◽  
Youngsun Kim ◽  
Edson Chipalo ◽  
Hee Yun Lee
Keyword(s):  
Digital Divide ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Interaction Effects ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Use Of The Internet ◽  
Retirement Study

Abstract Existing literature informed that ageism might affect Internet use among older adults, further widening the digital divide among age groups. However, little empirical studies have been conducted on this topic. Our study aims to investigate (1) the current use of the Internet by gender, (2) the association between ageism and Internet use, and (3) potential gender differences. A cross-sectional data drawn from the 2016 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) was analyzed. Separate multiple regression analyses were conducted by gender to determine the varying impact of ageism on Internet use. We used two types of ageism (1) internal ageism (ingroup discrimination) and (2) external ageism (discrimination from external entities) to observe each type’s contribution to Internet use. About half of the sample (52% male and 54% female) reported using the Internet “daily,” while a quarter (26% male and 25% female) responded, “never/not relevant.” No significant differences between gender were found in levels of Internet use, the rates of external ageism, or the degree of internal ageism. A higher level of ageism was associated with a lower level of Internet use. Interaction effects between age groups and ageism varied across gender: external ageism had interaction effects on men’s Internet use whereas internal ageism showed significant results for women. Our findings suggest that ageism may influence Internet use and its impact differs by gender. Gender-tailored intervention strategies should be developed to help older individuals to diminish the adverse effects of ageism on Internet use.

scholarly journals The impact of Internet use on mental wellbeing and health behaviours among persons with disability

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Szulc ◽  
M Duplaga
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Digital Divide ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Suicidal Thoughts ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Internet Users ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Disability is frequently related to the digital divide. However, the Internet may be also an opportunity for many people with disabilities, especially for those who suffer from difficulties in involving in social activities. For some of them, it is also a tool for undertaking professional tasks. The aim of the study was the assessment of the impact of the Internet on selected aspects of psychological wellbeing and undertaking health behaviours in persons with disabilities. Methods From the data set of the biannual Social Diagnosis survey, data of respondents confirming the status of disability were extracted. They were used for the development of multivariate logistic regression models for self-assessment of life, the prevalence of suicidal thoughts, feeling lonely, the use of psychological support and health behaviours. The impact of Internet usage was adjusted for sociodemographic variables. Weights provided by the study team were used in the analysis. Results The responses from 3231 respondents were used in the analysis. There were 33.1% of Internet users in the study group. Respondents with a mild disability made 25.3%, with moderate 39.4%, with severe 24.2%, and without an established degree of disability 11.1%. Logistic regression modelling revealed that Internet users more frequently assessed their lives as happy (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval (OR, 95%CI): 1.40, 1.13-1.75) and undertook some form of physical activity (2.32, 1.84-2.91). They also less frequently excessively consumed alcohol (0.51, 0.33-0.80). No relation was found for experiencing loneliness (0.89, 0.71-1.12), suicidal thoughts (0.998, 0.77-1.29), receiving psychological care (0.84, 0.62-1.14) and smoking (0.83, 0.66-1.04). Conclusions Although persons with disabilities suffer from digital divide, Internet use may exert a beneficial impact on their wellbeing and favour more beneficial health behaviours. Key messages Internet access and use among persons with disabilities may be an opportunity for improved wellbeing. Persons with disabilities who are Internet users assess their lives as more happy and demonstrate more favourable health behaviours.

Internet as a Source of Health Information and its Perceived Influence on Personal Empowerment

2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guy Paré ◽  
Jean-Nicolas Malek ◽  
Claude Sicotte ◽  
Marc Lemire
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Medical Information ◽  
Sample Survey ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Personal Empowerment ◽  
Participative Approach ◽  
Use Of The Internet ◽  
Search For Information

The primary aim of this study is twofold. First, the authors seek to identify the factors that influence members of the general public to conduct Internet searches for health information. Their second intent is to explore the influence such Internet use has on three types of personal empowerment. In the summer of 2007 the authors conducted a household sample survey of a population of Canadian adults. A total of 261 self-administered questionnaires were returned to the researchers. Our findings indicate that use of the Internet as a source of health information is directly related to three main factors: sex, age and the individual’s perceived ability to understand, interpret and use the medical information available online. Further, their results lend support to the notion that using the Internet to search for information about health issues represents a more consumer based and participative approach to health care. This study is one of the first to relate Internet use to various forms of personal empowerment. This area appears to have great potential as a means by which consumers can become more empowered in managing personal health issues.

The role of motivation in the digital divide: The moderating effect of device access

2021 ◽  
pp. 205015792110606
Author(s):  
Lian Wang ◽  
Chun Liu
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Digital Divide ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Second Order ◽  
Moderating Effect ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Representative Survey

Socioeconomic status and demographic determinants are the most commonly examined factors in the study of the second-order digital divide regarding the differences associated with Internet use. The role of motivation in digital inequalities is comparatively less studied. We examine motivation and access variables in this paper. Statistical analysis based on a representative survey conducted in China indicates that motivation is a salient predictor of Internet use when other factors are controlled. In addition, device access significantly moderates the association between motivation and certain types of Internet use. While mobile-only users show the same, if not stronger, motivation for using the Internet for the purposes of study, entertainment, and e-commerce, they actually use those functions to a lesser extent than multimodal users. Hence, the digital divide is a multifaceted issue that requires a comprehensive solution.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document