The impact of internet use on health among older adults in China: a nationally representative study

Yanyan Zhou · Yang Bai · Jun Wang

57 citations0/0 files storedBMC Public Health

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Technology Use by Older Adults Health Literacy and Information Accessibility Aging, Health, and Disability

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Aging poses a significant challenge worldwide, with China's aging status becoming particularly severe. What is the impact of Internet use on the health of the elderly? Existing studies have drawn conflicting conclusions that Internet use improves or harms health. The purpose of this study was to explore how Internet use affects the health of older adults, and the mechanisms and heterogeneity of these effects. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Based on Grossman's theory, this paper constructs a health production function model. Using the data of China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) from 2014 to 2020, we investigated the impact of Internet use on the health of older adults using fixed effect model and instrumental variable method. We also examined the mediating role of health information acquisition, lifestyle, and social interaction in these associations. RESULTS: Internet use is positively associated with self-rated health and negatively associated with psychological sub-health level. Internet use promotes the health of older adults by facilitating access to health information, healthy lifestyles, and enhancing social interaction. And the impacts are heterogeneous at the individual and regional levels. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: We should progressively enhance the level of internet accessibility for older adults, while concurrently addressing and narrowing the 'digital divide'. By generating an abundance of superior health-related information, we can significantly improve health education tailored for the elderly. Additionally, it is crucial to offer extensive training opportunities designed to equip older adults with the necessary skills to proficiently navigate the internet.

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References

2014Internet Use and Depression Among Retired Older Adults in the United States: A Longitudinal Analysis 2015Internet Use and Well-Being in Older Adults 2017Can Digital Technology Enhance Social Connectedness Among Older Adults? A Feasibility Study 2016Information and Communication Technology Use Is Related to Higher Well-Being Among the Oldest-Old 2017Diversity in Older Adults’ Use of the Internet: Identifying Subgroups Through Latent Class Analysis 2020Social Media Communication and Loneliness Among Older Adults: The Mediating Roles of Social Support and Social Contact 2022The double-edged role of the digital economy in firm green innovation: micro-evidence from Chinese manufacturing industry 2009Internet Use and Self-Rated Health Among Older People: A National Survey

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